Abstract:
Molluscicidal plant products have interesting attributes of environmental friendliness and accessibility to local communities. Teir
bait formulations are more economical and target specifc as they are applied only to the snail-infested sections of the water
habitat. Teir active ingestion by target snails could also increase gastric concentrations and enhance efectiveness. Tis study
aimed to evaluate the comparative efectiveness of Achyranthes aspera (A. aspera) leaf hydroethanolic extract in bait and immersion
applications. Serial dilutions of the extract in water for immersion, and in snail food pellets for bait test, were set. Adult Biomphalaria
pfeiferi snails exposed to the bioassays for 24 hours and data were analyzed using probit model. Te plant showed molluscicidal
activity in both methods. Te respective LC50 and LC90 doses were 20.37 and 46.84 ppm in the immersion and 3.10 and 11.08
ppm in the bait. Te more efcient bait method reduced the LC50 by 6.57 and the LC90 by 4.23 times. Tis fnding provides
a strong foundation for the molluscicidal potential of A. aspera. It is applicable and possibly more efective if formulated into
those commercially available snail food pellets or fakes. However, selection and optimization of suitable baits is a crucial step for
maximum output.
