Farmers' current practices against the golden snail (Pomacea sp.) in the Philippines
1991
Atienza, E.C. | Adalla, C.B. (Philippines Univ., Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines). Dept. of Entomology)
Rice farmer-cooperators of the Philippine Rice Research Institute's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Participatory Project consider the golden snail second to tungro (viral disease) as a serious rice pest. Lowland rice farmers cope with the snail problem by chemical, biological, mechanical methods, and other control methods including modified farming practices. IPM farmers-cooperators rely mainly on molluscicides (specifically those based on triphenyl-tin acetate, Aquatin and Brestan) for snail control. However, 49% use combinations of any or all the following methods: application of Brestan or Aquatin with the insecticide Endosulfan; handpicking; construction of trenches; and intermittent draining of the ricefields. The dosage of Endosulfan used is higher (80-150 ml/16 l of water) than the dosage recommended to control insect pests. Farmers in Central Luzon, Iloilo, and Sultan Kudarat have experienced difficulty in hiring transplanters in fields sprayed with molluscicides because of health problems: itching and severe skin irritation when chemicals are applied prior to transplanting; and abrasions to hand and feet caused by snail shells. The modified farming practices employed by farmers are: intermittent draining in direct seeded and transplanted ricefields, coupled with construction of small canals and deep strips; through land preparation which destroys weeds and disperses and injures snail eggs; and use of screens or nets in water inlets to prevent entry of snails from irrigation canals and nearby fields. The most common biological control approach is herding of ducks to forage on the snails but the effectiveness of this is reduced by the availability of other food sources. Among potential natural predators of snails, only rodents seem to have significant effects. The most common mechanical control method is regular handpicking and destruction of the snail but its effectiveness varies with farm size and availability of cash to hire labor
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