Efficacy of selected essential oils and wood vinegar for controlling golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata in paddy cultivation

The golden apple snail ( Pomacea canaliculata ) is a destructive invasive species in Malaysia paddy fields, causing significant yield losses. Paddy farmers widely use chemical molluscicides, but pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Concern about water pollution and pesticide residues on harvested crops highlights the urgent need for alternative, eco-friendly options such as biopesticides. This study evaluated the efficacy of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Curcuma longa (turmeric), and wood vinegar as biopesticides against golden apple snails. Mortality tests were conducted at 400, 600, and 800 ppm concentrations up to 120 hours, with niclosamide and methanol as positive and negative controls, respectively. Turmeric essential oil had the highest mortality rate (84 % at 600 ppm), while wood vinegar showed the lowest mortality rate (14%). The highest LC 50 values for each essential oil were 2.571 ppm for turmeric, 5.524 ppm for lemongrass, 8.491 ppm for ginger, and 20.474 ppm for wood vinegar. Among these, turmeric essential oil at 600 ppm proved the most effective molluscicide against golden apple snails. These findings highlight turmeric essential oils as promising eco-friendly alternatives for controlling golden apple snails.