V3I1P49

Snail Farm Soil Fungi Load and the Effect on the Survival of Archachatina marginata

Emmanuel E. Odiaka^1*

Abstract

Soil samples were collected from three different locations in a snail farm and labelled as L1, L2 and location L3. The effect of soil fungi load in a snail farm on the survival of Archachatina marginata was determined. The total bacteria fungi count of the soil samples were estimated using the Standard Spread Plate Technique. Fungal isolates were identified by their cultural, morphological and behavioural characteristics using established characters. Snail species reared on the farm were Archachatina marginata. A total of 10 species of fungi were recorded at the three locations within the farm. The highest number of fungi species were recorded in L1 and L2. Aspergillus was the most dominant fungi species. Fungi were typical of an environment with specie richness. Trychoderma was the least dorminant species.

Keywords:

Soil fungal load; Snail survival; Archachatina marginata; Fungal diversity; Aspergillus spp