Molluscicidal efficacy of ethanol extracts of cumin, moringa and golden shower against glassy clover land snail, Monacha Cartusiana (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The molluscicidal effects of three ethanolic crude extracts, cumin (Cuminum cyminum), golden shower (Cassia fistula) and moringa (Moringa oleifera) were evaluated against Monacha cartisiana (O.F.Müller) (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae) land snail under laboratory conditions. Three methods of bioassay were used, i.e. contact, leafdipping and bait techniques. The results indicated that the ethanol  crude extract of cumin was the most toxic extract for the M. cartisiana land snail followed by moringa extracts while golden shower  extract had the lowest effect. Results showed that the contact technique of the tested plant extracts was the most effective method of  application. The LC₅₀ values of cumin, moringa and golden shower extracts when applied as contact were 235.9, 266.0 and 292.8 ppm,  respectively. The plant constituents present in the three extracts that may be responsible for their molluscicidal activity are sterols and  triterpenes, alkaloids, carbohydrates and glycosides, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids.