Molluscicidal properties of three plant extracts with reference to the intestinal enzyme alkaline phosphatase on the slug laevicaulis alte (ferrusac) (mollusca: gastropoda)

Laevicaulis alte is one of the important pulmonate pests infesting the vegetable crops. Mostly they feed on vegetation available in and around their habitat. According to the malacologist point of view the slug Laevicaulis alte is not inferior to any other insect in damaging the agricultural crops. The controlling of this particular slug pest is important to minimize the infestation on agricultural land. For the past two decades, malacologists recommend the use of inorganic synthetic compounds such as copper sulphate, calcium sulphate, calcium cyanide etc. to control the molluscan species. But, all these compounds may also affect non–target organisms, soil texture and other organisms which are living in the soil. Moreover these compounds are carcinogenic, highly non-degradable in nature and in residual concentrations may cause skin rashes in human beings. In the recent years, malacologists are severely attempting environmentally safe plant based phyto - compounds to control various types of terrestrial molluscan pests. Hence, the present study has been initiated to evaluate the efficacy of some specific plant extracts as molluscicides in controlling the slug Laevicaulis alte by studying their impact on intestine process.