Influence of two substrates on the performances of Archachatina marginata’s adults and juvenile in Benin

Laying performance of 168 breeders and growth rates of 420 juveniles on both substrates (Tectona grandis sawdust and compost) for 12 weeks was determined in African giant snails Archachatina marginata. The experimental design was a simple randomized block with two treatments and three repetitions. The substrate has a negative effect on laying rate and parasitic state. In compost breeding, the infection rate was significantly (p<0.01) very high compared to those grown on sawdust. Snails with the highest infection rate were laying fewer eggs twice significantly (p<0.05) than those whose infection rate was lower. The average daily gain on snails’ juvenile breed on sawdust was the same with those which are been breed on compost. But the shell growth rate of juveniles reared on sawdust was 0.1 mm/day when those which were reared on compost have zero-growth (p<0.05). According with these results, Tectona grandis sawdust could may be recommended for African giant snails breeding in Benin

Influence of two substrates on the performances of Archachatina marginata’s adults and juvenile in Benin Keywords:

Compost , Growth , Infestation , Sawdust , Laying rate