Repulsive effect of potassium tartrate against Eobania vermiculata and Monacha obstructa (Gastropoda : Helicidae : Hygromiidae)‎ land snails under laboratory and field conditions

Abstract EN

The effect of potassium tartrat (PT) was studied against Eobania vermiculata ( Müller ) and Monacha obstructa (Pfeiffer) (Gastropoda: Helicidae: Hygromiidae) land snails under laboratory and field conditions.

Four concentrations of PT (2, 4, 6 and 8%) were used as dust discs of lettuce leaves using non and free choice feeding methods.

The laboratory results revealed that the PT hasn’t any toxic effect against both land snail species at non choice feeding test.

While, it caused repellent effect against the two land snail species.

The 8 % concentration was the most effective concentration which gave 93 % repellency for E.

vermculata and 85 % for M.

obstrucata at free choice feeding test.

Under Field condition 8% of PT as dust application on plant leaves against E.

vermiculata and M.

obstructa land snails was evaluated.

The PT achieved 53% reduction for E.

vermiculata after 7 days of treatment, while it gave 6 % reduction for M.

obstructa.

It was observed the snails avoided feeding and climbing the plants.

So, it can conclude that the PT can be using as a product to protect the foliage of plants from snails attack and prevent them to climb the plants.

Also, it prevents the pollution with snail’s mucus which reduces the economic value of plants.

So, it can be using this substance in the organic fields for controlling the snails.