SDCA Student Research Journal

Abstract

Pomacea canaliculata, commonly known as golden apple snail, is considered as one of the serious pests of rice in the Philippines. However, synthetic molluscicides used to manage golden apple snails are also a significant problem due to harmful effects to the environment and human health. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of phytochemicals and molluscicidal effect of Tridax procumbens L. (wild daisy) crude leaf extract against Pomacea canaliculata. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was done to determine the bioactive compounds as molluscicide present in Tridax procumbens L. such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and sterols. Pomacea canaliculata with shell diameter of 11-16 mm and 23-28 mm were exposed to different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of Tridax procumbens L. crude leaf extract. Mortality of Pomacea canaliculata was determined by probing with a needle to which snail gives no response. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and sterols were observed in the crude leaf extract of Tridax procumbens L. No significant differences between the mortality of small and large Pomacea canaliculata were observed among the concentrations of Tridax procumbens L. crude leaf extract. Evaluating the percentage mortality of small and large Pomacea canaliculata, 100% Tridax procumbens L. crude leaf extract exhibited the highest percentage mortality, followed by 75%, 50%, and 25% Tridax procumbens L. crude leaf extracts. These results demonstrate the possibility of using Tridax procumbens L. crude leaf extract as a molluscicide against Pomacea canaliculata. Additional research should be conducted to determine the molluscicidal effect of Tridax procumbens L. crude leaf extract against other life stages of Pomacea canaliculata.

Keywords: Pomacea canaliculata; Molluscicidal effect; Phytochemical screening; Tridax procumbens; Crude leaf extract.