Perceived Benefits of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) Leaf Extracts

as a Biopesticide in Negros Occidental

A Research Paper Presented to

Senior High School Department of
La Consolacion College-Bacolod

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Practical Research 2

Agana, Christine
Alfonso, Allan Gabriel
Consolado, Kirby
Dequiña, Daniela
Doniña, David Justin
Espesor, Drae
Jaype, James Roger
Jolipa, Lourence Paul
Tarre, Christoffer Berziel

October 2022
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The agricultural productivity growth over the past decades has been largely

due to the chemicals used by farmers to control pest infestation. About 70% of

farmers in the Philippines use chemicals as their main crop protection practice and

some of them even utilize chemical pesticides that are restricted and/or banned

(i.e., categories I and II) (Javier et al., 2005). The misuse and overuse of

pesticides in the country adversely affect human health as well as the

environment. In spite of a variety of control measures applied against pests, crop

losses have consistently shown an increasing trend (Dhaliwal and Koul, 2010).

Domestic consumers are concerned about food safety due to the harmful

residues of chemical pesticides. Uninhibited use and over-dependence on

chemical pesticides raised environmental concerns. Polluted groundwater and

degraded soils have resulted in unproductive and nutritionally imbalanced lands.

Therefore, an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides is needed.

Biopesticides are the formulated form of active ingredients based on

microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes or naturally-occurring

substances, including plant extracts and semiochemicals (e.g. insect pheromones)

(Gašić and Tanović, 2013). Biopesticides offer an ecologically sound and

effective solution to pest infestation. They pose less threat to the environment and

to human health (Gupta and Dikshit, 2010).

Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), also known as sambong, has been

used as medicine for thousands of years in Southeast Asia countries, such as

China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines. Sambong is the most

important member of the genus Blumea and is an indigenous herb of tropical and

subtropical Asia, especially in China. (Yuxin Pang et al, 2014). Due to its

antifungal and antibacterial properties, it became an essential home remedy to

treat external conditions like wounds and cuts.

The crude extracts of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) display various

biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, wound healing, anti-

inflammation, and specifically, pest-resistant activity. Luo et al. reported that the

acetone extracts of B. balsamifera possessed an activity against Pryicutaria

oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum sp., Colletorichum musae, C. gloeosporioides, C.

capsici, and F. oxysporum f. sp. in vitro, with an inhibition rate of over 90.0%.

The essential oil of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) showed fumigant toxicity

against the maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais) (Sha Sha Chu et al, 2013). The

results suggested that the leaf extracts of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

possessed significant pest-resistant activities, and could be used as new potential

plant pesticide.
 The knowledge gathered from previous studies shows various applications

and biological activities of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) leaf extracts. There

are articles that suggest that the leaf extracts of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

can be used as new potential plant pesticides. To conclude, the leaf extracts of

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) will be evaluated through a series of tests focused

on specific qualities similar to that of synthetic pesticides.

The purpose of this study is to develop a biopesticide using the leaf extracts

of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera). Particularly, this study aims to evaluate the

efficacy of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) leaf extracts against pests infesting

major crops produced in Negros Occidental.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the efficacy of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

leaf extracts as a biopesticide against pests infesting major crops produced in

Negros Occidental.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the efficacy of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) leaf extracts as a

biopesticide in terms of:

A. Pest-resistant activity

B. Duration of effectiveness
 C. Fumigant toxicity

2. Is there a significant difference between synthetic pesticides and Sambong

(Blumea balsamifera) leaf extracts as a biopesticide in terms of:

A. Pest-resistant activity

B. Duration of effectiveness

C. Fumigant toxicity

Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the efficacy of Sambong (Blumea

balsamifera) leaf extracts as a biopesticide against pests infesting major crops

produced in Negros Occidental. There is no significant difference between

synthetic pesticides and Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) leaf extracts as a

biopesticide in terms of pest-resistant activity.

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 below, illustrates the conceptual framework of the study. The

research components, processes, and output are represented in the schematic

diagram below.

In the input section, we listed down the active ingredient that we are going to

incorporate into our product (e.g. Sambong leaf extracts). Next, in the process

section, we have listed all the processes we are going to conduct in producing our
 product. Our group is going to go through the process of collecting the active

ingredient, mixing, and testing the product to produce the goal of this study which

can be seen in the output section below. With the active ingredient from the input

section and all the necessary processes, we should be able to produce our product.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

● Sambong ● Collecting Biopesticide

leaf - Collection of made from
Extracts Sambong leaves Sambong leaf
● Distilled - Collection of extracts
water Sambong leaf
➜ extracts through
Boiling Extraction
➜
Method.
● Mixing
- Extract Dilution
● Testing
- Biopesticide
application
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Conceptual Framework of the Study

The figure shows the input essential involving gathering some information and the

concept of the study through online sources. Also, the active ingredient and materials that

are necessary for the following procedures of the study are also gathered in this stage.

Following are the procedures carried out in the production of biopesticide. The

output is then put to the test and evaluated. The knowledge gathered from the initial stage

in executing the procedures.

Scope and Delimitations

The scope of this research is to test and observe the efficacy of Sambong (Blumea

balsamifera) leaf extracts as a biopesticide against pests infesting major crops in Negros

Occidental. The leaf extracts of Sambong can be sourced from plant shops around the

vicinity of the researchers, specifically Bacolod City. The study is limited to the boiling

extraction method in collecting the leaf extracts of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) due to

the lack of knowledge of the researchers, particularly on laboratory locations around the

vicinity of the researchers which perform another way of plant extraction, the

hydrodistillation.

Significance of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to ascertain the effects of Sambong (Blumea

balsamifera) leaf extracts as a biopesticide against pests infesting major crops in Negros

Occidental. The results of this study would be a great contribution to pest control and

management, producing little toxic residue and are of minimal risk to human health.

Furthermore, the researchers believe that the findings of this study could be of

significance to the following groups of people:

Farmers. The results of the study will help farmers in controlling pest infestation

while posing less threat to the environment as well as the farmer’s health.

Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture is a staunch advocate

of the promotion of agricultural growth and development.

Consumers. The results of the study will address the concerns of consumers

regarding food safety.

Future Researchers. The findings of the study may serve as reference data for

further research in the field of Agriculture as well as Environmentalism. This could serve

as a guide as they further develop their research which consists of variables related to our

study.

Definition of Terms

The following key terms are further defined either operationally or conceptually:

Biopesticide. Bio-pesticides are naturally occurring substances from living

organisms (natural enemies) or their products (microbial products, phytochemicals) or

their by-products (semiochemicals) that can control pest by nontoxic mechanisms (Salma

and Jogen, 2011).

In this study, biopesticide refers to the output form of the processed active ingredient,

specifically, the leaf extracts of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera).

Blumea balsamifera. Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), also known as

sambong, has been used as medicine for thousands of years in Southeast Asia countries,

such as China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines. Sambong is the most

important member of the genus Blumea and is an indigenous herb of tropical and

subtropical Asia, especially in China. (Yuxin Pang et al, 2014)

 In this study, the term refers to plant where leaf extracts are collected. The plant that

will be used in this study is to be sourced from the local plant shops, specifically in

Bacolod City due to its close proximity to the researchers.

Pest Infestation. Pest infestation means a condition whereby the land, plant, soil,

appliance or other matter or thing in respect of which the term is used supports a pest

physically, nutritionally or in any other way or a condition whereby the presence of the

pest in or on the land, plant, soil, appliance or other matter or thing in question exposes

any plant either directly or indirectly to pest infestation (Plant Protection Act, 1989).
 Chapter 2
METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The current study will utilize a descriptive research design to gather data and

evaluate the perception of the farmers regarding pesticide usage in controlling pest

infestation in their crops.

Descriptive research designs involve observing and describing the phenomenon

without influencing the phenomenon (Siedlecki, 2020). A descriptive research design is a

framework where research is conducted following a set of data collection guidelines

(Siedlecki, 2020). This research design is considered the most suitable to answer the

problems. The survey questionnaire is the most common way of obtaining information

under this design.

Respondents of the Study

The quota sampling technique will be used by the researchers. This type of non-

probability sampling will be used where researchers will form a sample of individuals

who are representative of a larger population. The researchers first ask permission from

the farmers of crop cultivating areas in Negros Occidental. The respondents in this study

are Negros Occidental farmers that cultivate a wide range of crops. A survey on the

characteristics of respondents will be conducted to determine to which extent the

characteristics variation of respondents as farmers.

Research Locale

The researchers will conduct the study in the province of Negros Occidental.

Data Gathering Instrument

The adopted modified instrument from the published work of Himani Tyagi, Tanya

Gautam, and Pratibha Prashar will be used in the study. The questionnaire will be divided

into two (2) parts. The first part of the survey will be the profile of the respondents,

which directs the respondents to answer their details on age, sex, civil status and income.

The second part will be the survey about the main topic of this study. The topic will

be focusing on the farmer's perception of pesticide usage in controlling pest infestation in

their crops. Furthermore, the farmer's perception of the significant difference between

biopesticides and synthetic pesticides in terms of pest-resistant activity, duration of

effectiveness, and fumigant toxicity will be evaluated.

Validity

Validity is defined as the extent to which a concept is accurately measured in a

quantitative study (Heale & Twycross, 2015). The Adopted-Modified questionnaire will

be validated by fifteen (15) experts in research at La Consolacion College-Bacolod.

Using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) developed by Lawshe (1962), the rating of 1-

essential, 2-useful but not essential, and 3-not essential will be rated by the panel of

experts. It should obtain a score of .60-1.00.

Reliability

Reliability refers to the precision and consistency of the study findings. When the

answers of the survey generate a similar result, the finding is said to be reliable. The

amount of error existing in the findings also indicates how reliable the research is. (Heale

& Twycross, 2015).

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will write a letter seeking permission from the school to personally

meet the respondents. As soon as the researchers will be approved, the researchers will

distribute the questionnaires to the respondents. The researchers will assure that the

respondents' written responses will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will be

used for academic purposes only.

Ethical Considerations

The researchers will personally meet the respondents and explain the nature of the

study and the need for their participation. The schedule of the data collection with the

respondents will be set at their most agreeable and convenient time. To encourage open

dialogue, each data gathering will be held in an easily accessible location and will be

conducted informally to make sure that the respondents will be comfortable in their

psychological space.