Azadirachta indica seed as potential biopesticides for controlling golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata in rice cultivation

The golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata is an invasive alien pest that seriously affects rice cultivation in many Asian countries. These freshwater molluscs devour young rice seedlings, causing extensive damage to both transplanted and direct seed. Most Asian farmers resort to short-term solutions by using molluscicides that have negative impacts on non-target organisms, aquatic biodiversity, and the environment. Due to the toxic hazards of the synthetic insecticides, biological control through botanical pesticides is the best alternative for reducing the golden apple snail damage in paddy fields. Neem or also known as Azadiractha indica have been proven by present investigations that neem trees have the molluscicidal potential to the golden apple snails. The purposes of this study were to determine the most effective extraction of different fresh and dried neem seed and to identify LC50 value for fresh and dry neem seed by using methanol extraction for controlling golden apple snail. The LC50 of golden apple snail treated with different concentration of fresh and dried neem seeds using methanol extraction were determined using bioassay method. The dry neem seed with the methanol extract gave a high mortality rate compared to the fresh neem seed with the methanol extract to the golden apple snail. The LC50 of methanol extraction with dried neem seed for golden apple snails was 180,590 ppm with the 95% confidence limit range of 147,200 - 210,980. Meanwhile, the LC50 of methanol extraction with fresh neem seed for golden apple snails was 267,960 ppm with the 95% confidence limit range of 224,880 - 317,960. Based on finding, dried neem seed using methanol extraction have potential as biopesticide for management of golden apple snail and its application can be provided an alternative way for sustainable pest control in rice cultivation.