Survey and field experiments were conducted at ARS, Pokhara, during 2003 and 2004
to know the ecology and effectiveness of different materials against terrestrial snails.
Field experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with seven
treatments and four replications. Each treatment plot consisted of one clump of banana
with 3 stems having 15 leaves and 50 snails (Cryptaustenia sp.). All treatments were
applied in July. Survey conducted in Kaski, Tanahun, Syangja, Parvat, Nawalparasi
and Rupandehi revealed that five species of snails, namely Lissachatina fulica,
Cryptaustenia sp., Macrochlamys sp, Euaustenia sp.and Bensonia sp. were recorded
as crop pests. They were found to feed most preferably on chayote followed by tane
bodi, maize and sponge gourd in the field whereas in host choice condition, tane bodi,
french bean, maize, chayote, sponge gourd and yam were in sequence of preference
rank and the least preferred were ginger, turmeric and egg plant. The snails in field
were seen just after 2-3 showers of rain during April-May, maximum peak in July, and
theirr activity stopped with the end of monsoon. Two years mean data on snail mortality
due to treatments revealed that the spray of copper sulphate @ 5g//iter of water gave
significantly maximum mortality of snails (86.20 %). Common salt + agriculture
lime (1:5) @ 10 g/liter of water(78.90%) and dust of common salt+ wood ash (1: 5)
@ 30 kg/ha (74.60 %) were at par to cause snail mortality within 7 days after
application compared to that of untreated control (8.52 %).

Survey and field experiments were conducted at ARS, Pokhara, during 2003 and 2004
to know the ecology and effectiveness of different materials against terrestrial snails.
Field experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with seven
treatments and four replications. Each treatment plot consisted of one clump of banana
with 3 stems having 15 leaves and 50 snails (Cryptaustenia sp.). All treatments were
applied in July. Survey conducted in Kaski, Tanahun, Syangja, Parvat, Nawalparasi
and Rupandehi revealed that five species of snails, namely Lissachatina fulica,
Cryptaustenia sp., Macrochlamys sp, Euaustenia sp.and Bensonia sp. were recorded
as crop pests. They were found to feed most preferably on chayote followed by tane
bodi, maize and sponge gourd in the field whereas in host choice condition, tane bodi,
french bean, maize, chayote, sponge gourd and yam were in sequence of preference
rank and the least preferred were ginger, turmeric and egg plant. The snails in field
were seen just after 2-3 showers of rain during April-May, maximum peak in July, and
theirr activity stopped with the end of monsoon. Two years mean data on snail mortality
due to treatments revealed that the spray of copper sulphate @ 5g//iter of water gave
significantly maximum mortality of snails (86.20 %). Common salt + agriculture
lime (1:5) @ 10 g/liter of water(78.90%) and dust of common salt+ wood ash (1: 5)
@ 30 kg/ha (74.60 %) were at par to cause snail mortality within 7 days after
application compared to that of untreated control (8.52 %).