Integrated pest management for sustainable rice cultivation: a holistic approach

The ecophysiology of apple snails in rice: implications for crop management and policy

“…Although wet direct‐seeded rice is significantly more vulnerable to apple snails than transplanted rice, farmers are predicted to increasingly adopt direct seeding because it reduces labour costs (Wada et al ., ; Horgan, ,b). A higher use of herbicides with direct seeded rice has also been associated with higher snail damage (Wada et al ., ).…”

“…Several studies have documented the spread of apple snails in recent decades (Joshi & Sebastian, ; Rawlings et al ., ; Hayes et al ., ; Campos et al ., ; Lv et al ., ; Arias Rodríguez & Torralba Burrial, ). Despite the impact of apple snails in rice, less than 50 peer‐reviewed studies have focused on the field ecology and behaviour of native and non‐native apple snails in rice paddies or their impact on rice production (Horgan, ). Most of these studies have focused on irrigated rice systems in South East Asia where rice accounts for 64–83% of irrigated cropland (GRiSP, ) (the locations for 27 of these studies are presented in Fig.…”

“…Pests and diseases are considered a major contributor to gaps between potential and attained rice yields each year. However, the relative losses to rice productivity from different pests and diseases are difficult to quantify (Horgan, ). An increasing use of molluscicides by rice farmers over the last several decades suggests that aquatic snails have become a major challenge to rice farmers in some regions (Joshi & Sebastian, ; Horgan et al ., ,b).…”

“…Rice‐production systems can be roughly classified into four main categories based on topography and the seasonal prevalence of flooding (irrigated, rainfed, upland and flood prone; Table ). Within rice‐production systems, farmers can normally choose from a range of different production practices, including a range of flooding regimes, crop‐establishment methods, fertiliser regimes or pest management practices (DeDatta, ; Horgan, ). Production practices are largely determined by socio‐economic factors and are influenced by tradition and culture as well as by regional agricultural policy implemented through government and private agricultural extension services.…”

“…Production practices are largely determined by socio‐economic factors and are influenced by tradition and culture as well as by regional agricultural policy implemented through government and private agricultural extension services. Rice‐production practices will often determine the vulnerability of the rice crop to diseases and pests, including vulnerability to apple snails (Horgan, , ). Apple snails are found in most rice‐producing regions and systems (Table ).…”