Molluscicidal activity and repellency of some inorganic fertilizers against terrestrial snail, theba pisana (Muller)‎, infesting citrus trees in Northern Areas, Egypt

Abstract EN

In the present study, five inorganic fertilizer compounds: superphosphate, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, ferrous sulfate and copper sulfate were chosen and formulated in solution form of 1.5% (w/v) with an adhesive substance (Arab Gum).

Their efficacy as repellent and/or toxic agents against the terrestrial Theba pisana snails was investigated.

The infested Citrus trees with T.

pisana snails were divided into four groups.

The percentage decrease in the infested snail numbers were calculated after 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 weeks post treatment.

The total percentage decrease in the snail numbers (% decrease in the snail numbers after 6 weeks plus the % mortality of the snail numbers at the end of the experiment) were also calculated.

The results showed that there were significant differences between all treatments at (p < 0.01).

Copper sulfate was shown to be the most effective compound exhibiting 100% decrease in the total number of infested snails in the first and second groups.

Potassium sulfate was less successful followed by ferrous sulfate.