Toxicity of Some Botanical Oils and Ginger Extract against Monacha cartusiana Snail

Abstract

Currently using natural materials for Monacha cartusiana (Müller), (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Hygromiidae) snail control is deliberated to be the utmost realistic attitude. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of six crucial botanical oils. (Camphora officinarum Nees (Laurales, Lauraceae), Citrus limon Osbeck (Sapindales, Rutaceae), Mentha perpirata L. (Lamiales, Lamiaceae), Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculales, Ranunculaceae), Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiales, Lamiaceae) and Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtales, Myrtaceae) were used at concentrations (4, 10, 20, and 40%) while Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberales, Zingiberaceae) extract at (1, 5, 10, and 20%) against M. cartusiana snails. The LC50 and LC90 of each botanical oil and ginger extract were determined and the activity of the binary mixture of LC50 extract with LC50 of the three most effective oils against snails was estimated under laboratory conditions. All treatments caused a relative mortality of the snail individuals which made it possible to calculate the toxicity index and relative toxicity. Moreover, this study proved that the effect of C. officinarum, N. sativa and O. basilicum oils are higher than that of the other used oils, as they achieved 86.66, 76.66 and 86.66% mortality respectively, at the highest tested concentration after 14 days of treatment. On the other hand, Z. officinale extract caused 73.33% mortality at the highest concentration when used individually and the binary mixing of its LC50 with LC50 of C. camphora, N. sativa and O. basilicum oils separately induced 66.66, 100.00 and 60.00% mortality, respectively. Thus, botanical oils and their mixtures are preferably used in the control of land snails instead of the traditional chemical pesticides.