Development of Technology by Rotary Tiller to Control the Density of Apple Snail

Abstract

We developed the technology to enhance the Golden Apple Snail [Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck)] killing effect in conventional tilling work by adding straight blades between the tilling blades of the rotary tiller. We clarified the relationships between the striking speed of tilling blades and the snail-killing rate for different degrees of soil hardness. We subsequently established the optimum arrangement of straight blades based on the results of tilling tests in a soil tank, then designed and manufactured a prototype of a snail-controlling rotary tiller. Field test results revealed that the prototype halved the normal density of snails.