ALLELOPATHIC ACTIVITY OF ASUNTING (Senna alata) LEAVES EXTRACT IN

HINDERING WEED’S GROWTH

A Science Research Plan Presented to the Faculty of Science, Technology and

Engineering Program of Hagonoy National Highschool

Guihing, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur

MANUEL BENECIO A. AZNAR

JULLIE ANNE L. VILLALUZ

MIKAEL ANSELM S. DELOS REYES

JUBBY KING JABAN

JESSA A. MALAYA

RACHEL RUTH BARRIENTOS

AVRIELLE JAMES RAUT

December 2022
 APPROVAL SHEET

This Science Research Plan is entitled “ALLELOPATHIC ACTIVITY OF ASUNTING

(Senna alata) LEAVES EXTRACT IN HINDERING WEED’S GROWTH” prepared and
submitted by MANUEL BENECIO A. AZNAR, MIKAEL ANSELM S. DELOS REYES, JULIE
ANNE VILLALUZ, JESSA A. MALAYA, JUBBY KING JABAN, and AVRIELLE JAMES
RAUT has been examined and is, hereby, recommended for the corresponding examination,
approval and acceptance by the School Research Committee.

JIMMY REY O. CABARDO, MAEd, CLSSYB, SMRIEdr

Head Teacher III/Research Adviser

SCHOOL RESEARCH COMMITTEE

This Science Research Plan has been reviewed, evaluated and recommended for
implementation.

LEAH MAE C. MOJAR, MAEd ANNALOU L. TAMPIPI, MGC, RGC

Member, School Research Committee Member, School Research Committee

PEARL DYNE L. NEÑARIA, MAEd JUNIOR S. LACEDA

Member, School Research Committee Member, School Research Committee

ELPIDIO M. ORTEGA JR., PhD

Chair, School Research Committee

SCHOOL’S DIVISION RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Recommending Approval: MA. ESTELA EULALIA C. MANANAY

Department Coordinator, Science

Approved: ROMUALDO G. PAJIGAL JR., EdD

Principal IV
 INTRODUCTION

The Growth interactions between weed and crops have made great impact on

the agricultural system globally and nationally. It is commonly known that farmers

use herbicides and pesticides to control weeds from destroying their plant which has

also caused major causes of environmental damages, public health, leading to

environmental pollution, product insecurity, and human health hazards. Asunting

(Cassia alata) leaves extract on the other hand, produces allelopathic agents that

influence the germination, growth and survival of other organisms which can cause

biological suppression on weeds and crops.

Damalas and Koutrubas (2016) stated that pesticide exposure can cause a

variety of toxic effects, from modest skin irritation or other allergy symptoms to more

serious ones like a severe headache, vertigo, or nausea. Some pesticides, such as

the organophosphates, for example, have the potential to result in severe symptoms

like convulsions, comas, and even death. Kegley et. al (2022) added that pesticide

usage has been linked to several human health problems, including diabetes,

reproductive disorders, neurological dysfunction, cancer, and respiratory disorders.

Lu (2022) concluded that, regarding its safety for both people and the

environment, pesticide use in the Philippines continues to create a number of

problems and that farmers lack sufficient information about how pesticides should be
used and disposed of. Less than 1% of all pesticides used for weed and pest control

actually reach the intended pests. Spray drift, off-target deposition, run-off, and

photodegradation are a few ways that a lot of pesticides are lost, and they can have

negative effects on specific species, communities, or ecosystems as a whole, as well

as on people (Bernandes et al., 2015).

Perez et al. (2015) stated that the most common complaints among

farmers in Mindanao after spraying sessions of herbicide were skin irritation,

headache, cough, dry throat, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and eye

irritation which were manifestations of mild pyrethroid and organophosphate

poisonings.

The present study aims the urgent evaluation of the allelopathic activity of

asunting (Cassia alata) leaves extracts by using unwanted weeds as a basis of it's

hindering properties. Cassia tora will be used as a plant-based or natural substitute

to herbicide and pesticides as these chemicals cause a negative effect on the global,

national and local agriculture system. An urgency to conduct is present in this study

as this will assess the inhibition of asunting towards weeds and further to other

unwanted and unnecessary crops.

 Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of our study is to determine the allelopathic activity of

asunting (Cassia alata) leaves extract in hindering the growth of unnecessary weeds.
It specifically answers the following questions:

What concentration of Asunting (Cassia alata) leaves extract gives the best
allelopathic reaction in terms of hindering the growth of unnecessary weeds?

Is there a significant difference in the concentrations of asunting (Cassia

alata) leaves extract on its allelopathic reaction in terms of hindering the growth of
unnecessary weeds?

HYPOTHESIS

The null hypothesis is that there is no different effect between the 4

concentration of treatment.

H01: At least 1 group of concentration is different from other concentration

Research Setting

The conduction of the study is to be held at one of the researchers private

field. The exact place is at one of their banana plantation, Since tons of Nut grass

grew there (6.6728345, 125.2805365). Many complications may appear considering

that it is held outdoor such that rain storm strong winds and unwanted scenario can

easily block and destroy all the process and progress of the experimentation. The

humidity and temperature may change depends on the weather. For the safety of the
experimentation we will use barriers (covers) to protect our field of each

experimental unit location.

Research Design

In this study the researchers will use an experimental research design.

Specifically RCBD or Randomize Complete Block Design for it is the standard design

for agricultural experiments. In this study, the researchers will use four block of

groupings. This will be as follows:

A hand size of 20 different land area of field, where each field have the

existence of our experimental unit (pandan weed).Will be labeled from 1 to 20 then

be diced and assign its group of block:

B1.The five diced hand size area of field assigned to this block will receive a 100%

asunting leaves extract (treatment).

B2.The five diced hand size area of field assigned to this block will receive a 75%

asunting leaves extract (treatment).

B3.The five diced hand size area of field assigned to this block will receive 50% of

asunting leaves extract (treatment).

B4.The five diced hand size area of field assigned to this block will receive 25% of

asunting leaves extract (treatment).

Data Collection and Gathering Procedures

The equipment and materials to be used on this experiment includes the

following: Senna alata leaves, test tube, blender, Erlenmeyer flask, reagent or
technical ethyl alcohol, nut grass weed filter paper, beaker, alluminum foil, funnel

syringe and electric cooker.

Phase 1: Preparation and Extracting of Asunting Leaves Extracts

The process to conducting this experiment starts with the preparation of the

materials needed. After the materials are prepared the researchers will proceed to

extract the plant leaves or the asunting leaves extraction. As per said by Oliver

Lahora (2021) according to him to get the extract from a plant you must follow the

sequence procedure below:

-Wash the leaves in a running water to get the dirt out

-Dry air the leaves at a room temperature for 7 days as it help yield more

phytochemical during extraction

-Cut the leaves into smaller pieces for it helps let the solvent dissolve more

phytochemical from leaves

-Measure the amount or powdered leaves needed or required for your

experiment

-Transfer the powdered leaves into an Erlenmeyer flask, then pour 95 percent

of reagent or technical ethyl alcohol

-Filter the mixture using filter paper and funnel

-Collect all liquid, then after collecting the liquid cover the top of the

Erlenmeyer flask with aluminum foil to avoid the solvent ethyl alcohol from escaping

the mixture
 -Transfer the filtered liquid in the beaker

-Set the beaker and improvise water bath and turn on the stove. This process

will evaporate the solvent ethyl alcohol and recover the extract. After that recover the

extract then make sure that the extract is semi dry for that it is free of the solvent

used in the extraction

Phase 2: Application of Treatment

In our study we will use 4 different concentrations of our treatment to identify

and evaluate the different effects of them in our experimental unit (Nut grass). The 4

concentrations is set to be 100%,75%, 50% and 25% of extract from Asunting

leaves, by saying so researchers will use the right way and process to dilute the

treatment evenly. The use and means of using and identifying the effect of four

different concentration is to help identify which concentration is more effective in

killing and inhibiting the weed and whether there is a significance difference between

the four concentrations.

As stated in the research design the researchers will use 4 blocks of

groupings, 1 for the 100% extract of asunting leaves, another 1 for the 75% of

asunting leaves extract, 1 for the 50% of asunting leaves extract and lastly another 1

for the 25% of asunting leaves extract. In each block of concentration of the

treatment, it will hold and contain 5 different field( Nut grass grouped location).In this

case we will label the 20 different fields from 1-20 that has Nut grass on it, since we

don't want to be bias it is then the time we will use the Randomize Complete Block

design, the researchers will use the die to determine which each labeled field will

belong and be part of what group of block(b1,100% ,b2,75%, b3,50%, b4,25%).

Thus after the evenly distribution of our experimental unit the experimentation and
observation will then start to occur, we will pour and water the nut grass with each of

their respective amount of treatment (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%).

Phase 3: Data Gathering

The researchers will observe the experimental unit of ours as they receive

their perspective assigned amount of asunting leaves extract, the observation may

take several days before the occurance of changes and effects however it may also

effect so soon and for that the researchers will be more cautious and extra observant

about the progress. During the days of our future conductment we will take down the

prior and necessary data needed for the analysis of our study.

Risk and Safety

The process of harvesting asunting may lead to infections caused by

unwanted pest, animals and plants. The extraction of Asunting involves hot water

and boiling in which small accidents are not deniable to happen. Researchers will

use electric cooker due to the fact that It is easy and accessable, in using electric

cooker the researcher may cause mistake in plugging and unplugging the wire

causing electric shock to itself. The possible risk in conducting our study includes the

first degree burn that causes pain, swelling and blistering thus it also includes

electric shock that may cause light and serious effect of the researcher.

In harvesting asunting the researchers should wear gloves, boots, and thick

clothes to protect them from harmful outside elements. For the safety of the

researchers in conducting this experiment they should make use of cooking heat

resistant mitten and full cooking attire is needed. The researchers should Wear
Mask, gloves, googles and gowns for extra precautions for the unknown and harm it

may cause. Goggles possibly help you to avoid against dangerous fluid, chemical or

substance splash and vapor, Mask are used to protect the mouth and nose against

inhilation of contagious or dangerous chemicals ,Gloves- shield against chemical

burn, minimize possibility of injury, it can also prevent contamination. Personal

Protective Equipment (PPE) minimize exposure of skin against chemical hazzard

and physical harm.

Data Analysis

The following statistical tools will be used to address the Statement of the

Problem:

Mean. This will be used to determine what concentration of asunting (Cassia

alata) leaves extract gives the best allelopathic reaction in terms of hindering the

growth of unnecessary weeds as provided in the first statement of the problem.

Analysis of Variance. This will be used to determine the significant difference

in the concentrations of Asunting (Cassia alata) leaves extract on its allelopathic

reaction in terms of hindering the growth of unnecessary weeds as provided in the

second statement of the problem.

 REFERENCES

Bernardes, M.F.F., Pazin, M., & Dorta, L.C.P.D.J. (2015). Impact of pesticides on

environmental and human health. In A.C. Andreazza, & G. Scola (Eds), Toxicology

Studies – Cells, Drugs and Environment. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/57910

Cech, R.M., Jovanovic, S., Kegley, S. et al. Reducing overall herbicide use may

reduce risks to humans but increase toxic loads to honeybees, earthworms and

birds. Environ Sci Eur 34, 44 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-022-00622-2

Damalas, C. A., & Koutroubas, S. D. (2016). Farmer’s Exposure to Pesticides:

Toxicity Types and Ways of Prevention. Toxi, 4(1), 1.

https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics4010001

Lu, J. L. (2022). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Pesticides among Farmers

in the Philippines. Acta Medica Philippina, 56(1).

https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v56i1.3868

Perez, I. C. J., Gooc, C. M., Cabili, J. R., Rico, M. J., Ebasan, M. S., Zaragoza, M. J.

G., Redondo, A. S., Orbita, R., & Lacuna, M. L. D. G. (2015). Pesticide use among

farmers in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. Pesticide Use Among Farmers in

Mindanao, Southern Philippines, 7. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276280143_Pesticide_use_among_farmer

s_in_Mindanao_Southern_Philippines

Grant, T. (2019). Randomized Complete Block Design. Retrieved from https://plant-

breeding-genomics.extension.org/randomized-complete-block-design/