Using native plant species in Vietnam, the Plant Protection Institute has developed a highly effective snail-killing formulation that is environmentally friendly.
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| Golden Apple Snails dying in Lang Son after herbal treatment (Photo: TTO) |
According to Dr. Nguyen Truong Thanh, the leader of the research team, to create the aforementioned herbal formulations for controlling Golden Apple Snails, the team studied approximately 28 plant species with molluscicidal properties. From this research, they produced 40 different formulations and tested their effectiveness against this pest species.
After numerous experiments in both laboratory settings and on rice fields, the researchers selected and combined elements to create two products (BOURBO 8.3 BR and TICTACK 13.2 BR in dry powder form, and CH-01 as an extract solution). The raw materials for production include the plants Soursop, Chayote, and Thàn Mát, which are abundantly available in Vietnam to support large-scale production.
Dr. Thanh reported that these three formulations have been widely used in Dong Thap and Lang Son, where the density of Golden Apple Snails in some districts, such as Huu Lung and Thanh Binh, reaches 100-200 snails per square meter.
Results indicate that after 2 days of applying the treatment, the effectiveness of the formulations in killing Golden Apple Snails in rice fields reaches 79-92%, without causing harm to fish and other aquatic organisms. Furthermore, the active ingredients in the formulations decompose after a few days, making them even safer for producing clean agricultural products.
Each season, farmers need to use one of these three formulations to treat fields and ponds infected with Golden Apple Snails just before or right after planting. The application process is straightforward, allowing the product to be mixed with fertilizers or applied directly to the fields. The recommended dosage is 10-20 kg per hectare, with costs ranging from 160,000 to 200,000 VND, which is lower compared to chemical pesticides. Additionally, these formulations are easy to store.
Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development granted special approval for the production and use of these formulations nationwide to combat Golden Apple Snails.
It is expected that the Plant Protection Institute will produce approximately 100 tons of TICTACK 13.2 BR this year and is preparing to transfer this technology for large-scale production of the formulations.
Currently, Golden Apple Snails cause damage across an area of approximately 150,000 to 250,000 hectares in Vietnam, primarily in direct-seeded rice regions of the Mekong Delta. Most farmers resort to manual methods to catch them by hand.
Meanwhile, chemical pesticides used to control Golden Apple Snails are not widely employed due to their high cost and unstable effectiveness, especially in cooler temperatures.
Existing molluscicides containing Niclosamide are highly effective but are very toxic to fish and aquatic life. Endosulfan, a banned chlorinated organic pesticide in Vietnam due to its toxicity to aquatic organisms, is still widely used by farmers because it is inexpensive and effective against several other pests.
