Snail, Snail Go Away!!

Because we were under the new curriculum, we had to take up the Research subject. When we were still third years, we were asked to have a certain topic which will then be defended at the end of the grading period. And after that, sixteen projects will be chosen. The sixteen researchers of the chosen projects will automatically become the leaders of the group. Luckily, my project was not chosen! I was really happy because I don’t like to be a leader. I hate the big responsibility entrusted on me. I was grouped with Jessa and Christille. Our leader was Nathaniel with his research about the Golden Apple Snails.

With his study, we will be managing these creatures not to destroy the rice crops of the farmers. The Golden Apple Snails (GAS) is now considered a major pest in all rice ecosystems of the Philippines. GAS infestation poses several problems in rice farming systems. They damage young rice seedlings, causes poor crop stand, and yield losses. In fact, these species had been nominated as among the 100 of the “World’s Worst” invaders (Cowie 2007). GAS infestation in the country brought about an increase in the use of molluscicides. Presently, there are four registered chemicals as molluscicides in the list, namely: niclosamide, metaldehyde, izazophos, and copper hydrosulfate. But these chemicals harmed the natural environment and also to humans. These chemicals causes air pollution and can kill animals too. And also, they are too expensive for the farmers. Chemicals are just one of the things that can cause their irritation. Another factor that initiates their irritation are rough and abrasive materials. One of these abrasive materials is the rice hull. The chemical structure of the rice hull, containing amorphous silica bound to water closely resembles that of the opal, and this gives the rice hull some fairly amazing properties (Oliver, P.).

Let me discuss to you the procedures in doing our project. The GAS was first randomly assigned to four different set-ups. These set-ups all contained the same amount of water, the same mass of gabi leaves and two snails. Three of these set-ups were experimental set-ups which underwent the experimental treatment by adding different amounts of rice hulls (5 grams, 10 grams and 15 grams). The control group on the other hand had no rice hulls. Before the experiment treatment, initial measurements of the masses of gabi leaves were taken. The final measurements were taken 12 hours after the treatment. The statistical treatment used was the ANOVA to able to determine the effect of rice hulls on the leaf intake of GAS in terms of the mass of gabi leaves after 12 hours.

Based on the findings, the application of more amounts of rice hulls effectively lessens the leaf intake of the golden apple snails. It is because the rice hull has its abrasive property that discourages the snails from eating too much. The rough surface of the rice hull irritated the snail that enables them from secreting mucus which is their defense mechanism from the abrasiveness of the rice hull that eventually weakens them.

Our research study has significant effects to rice millers and some farmers throughout the regions. These will greatly help the rice millers for these hulls are problems to them who end up dumping and burning these. For the farmers, on the other hand, these hulls will serve as an agent in GAS management. These snails should be managed rather than killed for they help in weed management and in maintaining the ecosystem for they serve as food for other animals.