APPLE SNAIL (Pomacea
maculata): A NEW
INVADING PEST IN RICE
FIELDS IN EUROPE
International Temperate
Rice Conference6-9 March 2017 Griffith, NSW, Australia
Mª del Mar Català ([email protected])
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Golden Apple Snail (GAS)
• Listed in the 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species (IAS).
• Originates from South America.
• GAS was detected in Ebro Delta in 2009.
• It is the first case of naturalization of this species in Europe.
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Invasion process
http://www.recercat.cat/bitstream/handle/2072/169365/Caragol_poma.pdf?sequence=4
Irrigations channels
Drainage channels
Origin area
Evolution of the GAS presence in Ebro Delta
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2010: 576 ha detected 2011: 847 ha detected
2012: 1.576 ha detected 2013: 2.300 ha detected
Golden Apple Snail
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• GAS is herbivorous and feeds on almost any kind of vegetation.
• Sexual dimorphism in size and shape.
The invasiveness is related to its inherent characteristics
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• A high reproductive rate,
• adaptability to harsh environmental conditions,
• ability to invade diverse habitats,
• a wide host range and voracious appetite,
• no efficient biocontrol agents,
• long survival rate: > 4 years,
• and an ability to compete with the native snail speciesand native fauna.
Damages caused by GAS in rice fields
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• Apple snail species of the genus Pomacea are well known inseveral areas of the world where they have been introduced(e.g. Southeast Asia, South America) for its invasive natureand high ecological and economic impacts.
• Most significant impacts are related to rice farming,because apple snail eats rice seedlings in early development,which coincides with crop establishment phase.
30 days after seeding: rice field destroyed by apple snails
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• GAS is a highly voracious nocturnal herbivore. It candestroy newly direct-seeded rice.
• The snails’ activity is determined by the water level in thepaddy fields.
• The degree of damage depends on the size andpopulation density of the snails.
Rice plants damaged by snails at tillering stage
Damages caused by GAS in rice fields
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• For chemical control of the Golden apple snail, there are relatively few products
available which have good efficacy, low user toxicity, and satisfactory environmental
tolerability.
In Ebro Delta, SAPONINS and CALCIUM CYANAMIDE are used.
• SAPONIN is now widely used for the control of apple snails. It has a good efficacy.
This product is exceptionally authorized by the authorities.
• This product doesn’t present any plant toxicity and it could be applied during all the
crop cycle.
Chemical control against GAS in Ebro Delta
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CALCIUM CYANAMIDE
• Cyanamide application is an environmental practice that can be
used with two main objectives, to control apple snails and to
fertilize the field.
• To increase the snail control and to avoid plant damage, the
cyanamide should de applied 7 days before sowing and on
standing water to stimulate snails activity.
snails classified by sizes for
experimental purposes
Chemical control against GAS in Ebro Delta
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FERRIC PHOSPHATE
Two different bait granules with 29,7 g/kg ferric-III-
phosphate were tested in laboratory and field conditions.
Chemical control against GAS in Ebro Delta
Sluxx Neu
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FERRIC PHOSPHATE
- 60% of GAS mortality
- Rice seedling are protected
Chemical control against GAS in Ebro Delta
Laboratory trials
At sowing
moment.
GAS prefers to eat
Ferric Phosphate
than rice.
24 hours after
treatment.
GAS hasn’t eaten
rice plants on
Ferric Phosphate
treatment.
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A
AAB
AB
BC
C
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
No GAS Neu 2+2g/m2
Sluxx4g/m2
Neu 4g/m2
Sluxx 2+2g/m2
check
Yie
ld(k
g/h
a)
Field trial results
Chemical control against GAS in Ebro Delta
FERRIC PHOSPHATE
It is necessary to continue working to adjust doses of the
products on commercial rice fields.
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
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• Manual collection
• Containment measures
Images: Miquel Ángel López.
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Burning the vegetation
Quicklime application
Drying during autumn and
winter and/or fallow land
Images: Miquel Ángel López.
Dredging
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
• Treatment of rice fields with sea water
Conditions according to Resolution AAM/2529/2014
• Flood each plot with sea water for20 days and no more than 30 days.
• Permanent salinity levels above75% salinity of water source.
• Water levels completely coveringthe fields.
• Private drains kept at maximumlevels with seawater.
• Reference minimum salinity > 30dS/m.
Images: Miquel Ángel López.
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
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• Sea water treatments Negative impact on rice plants and yield.
Visual salinity effects on soil and rice plants
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
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• Sea water treatments Negative impact on rice plants and yield.
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
www.neurice.eu
Project period: 2016-2020
Field trials in Ebro Delta: 2018-2020
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The main objective of the project is to develop strategies for rice productivity, stability and
quality by developing New comercial European RICE harbouring salt tolerance alleles to
protect the rice sec tor against climate change and apple snail invasion.
• Introducing new cultivation techniques in Ebro Delta: Dry seeded rice.
Traditional sowing (flooded soil) Dry seeded rice (dry soil)
Possible
negative
impact on
rice plants
because of
soil salinity.
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
• Introducing new cultivation techniques in Ebro Delta: Dry seeded rice.
Non-chemical measures in Ebro Delta
Dry seeded riceConventional seeded rice
• Dry seeded rice prevents plant damages caused by GAS during the
establishment stage because GAS can’t live without water.
• Dry seeded rice is being tested in Ebro Delta in different experiments to study
the factors can affect its implementation (soil texture, soil salinity, fertilization,
varieties, etc..).