Tomato is considered the most important vegetable in the world. In fact, it is planted to about 4.4 million hectares around the world. In the Philippines, tomato ranks second to eggplant in production. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the total production of tomato has reached 203, 577.74 metric tons. However, tomato yield in the country is considered to be lower than the world average. This is due to pest infestations that cause significant losses to farmers. Whiteflies and beetles with 28 spots are two of the major pests of tomato. These are sucking insect pests that inflict damages on the crops and reduce the quality and quantity of yield PCAARRD-DOST, [1].

Tomatoes are subject to attack by a large number of insect pests from the time plants first emerge in the seed bed until harvest. Aphids, flea beetles and leaf miners threaten young plant-bed tomatoes. In the field, flea beetles, aphids, leaf miners, stinkbugs and fruit worms cause minimal damage to the foliage. However, severe damage may result either from their feeding on the fruit or by spreading certain diseases Sorensen, [2]. 

In time, man is able to discover that sap extracts of some botanical plants can be made to counter or minimize the destructive impact of pests. Although there is no noted formal documentation or scientific proof of such practices, the knowledge on the effects of these naturally-existing combatants a handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth and anecdotal stories up to this day.

Industrialization caught up with the agricultural business and pesticides are introduced as potent formulas. Synthetic pesticides are widely available, easy to use and very effective in controlling a wide variety of pests. These characteristics have paved the way for the wide acceptance and utilization of these chemicals, now an integral component of the conventional farming system. This integration has put the once ingenious indigenous methods simply a part of history.

Synthetic pesticides, however, are an added burden to local farmers. In addition to that, long term exposure, either external through skin contact or ingested or through the established “residual effect”, have been scientifically proven to cause ill health effects, ranging from mild skin diseases to cancer. Thus, if using these alternative organic methods can preserve product quality and yield, then it would be for the greater benefit of the local farmers, both financially and health-wise.

Considering the environmental problems and also the cost that synthetic pesticides bring, many people are now looking for alternatives. In the Philippines, some plants have been studied for their pesticidal properties. Although studies on botanical pesticides had been conducted locally during the early 80’s, these has not gained wide acceptance due to the laborious nature of preparing the botanical concoction prior to application. Compared with the easy-to-use conventional pesticides, botanicals are a generation behind. Times, however, are changing. Man is becoming more and more conscious of his food and his food source. This development has encouraged the resurgence of pesticide free and organic food. With this, conventional farming systems need to adapt to the changing needs of man. This study, then, presents a window into a healthy and pesticide free farming system.

Tacio, [3], stated that the madre de cacao has distinctive aroma that could attract the rodents that eventually, with the right amount could terminate them. Indigenous knowledge also indicates that madre de cacao has broad spectrum of uses against pests and as an herbal medicine both for humans and animals.

According to Rabena, [4], both the antifungal and antimicrobial properties. In a brine shrimp toxicity test, a general screening method indicative of cytotoxicity and pesticidal activity, the LC50 was 454ug.ml (CI 328-608). medicarpin, one of the compounds in the leaves and heartwood of gliricidia, is supposed to be antifungal.

Makabuhay vine is used by some farmers as natural Phyto-pesticides. Various studies showed that this kind of plant possesses antimicrobial and parasitical activity. A good example is the study conducted by [5], as cited by on the effectivity of the lotion from the ground stem of makabuhay in the treatment of scabies which established the acaricidal property of the said plant. 

William J. also stated that tannins can be used as insecticide against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. In addition, Azmathullah, [6], said that alkaloids and tannins are effective as pesticides. On the otherhand, flavonoids possess bioactive properties such as antibacterial and insecticidal effects. Hopkins and [7], stated that steroids play a protective function by disrupting the insect’s molting cycle when ingested by insect herbivores. 

Fernandez, as cited by Gutierrez, [8], stated that T. rumphii is essential in controlling intestinal worms of goats. It provides an alternative to costly drugs and potentially toxic chemical pesticides. The fermented botanical plant extracts of madre de cacao and makabuhay are as effective and comparable to the synthetic pesticide in terms of growth characteristics, average number of whiteflies and 28-spotted beetle reduced after spraying [9].

Botanical insecticides could be derived or extracted from plants which possess pesticidal properties like neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), Makabuhay vine (Tinospora rumpii Boerl), madre de cacao leaves (Gliciridia sepium) and marigold leaves (Calendula officinalis) which are always available in the localities and nearby communities. As reported by Sangatanan, [10], these plants contain pyrethroid, rotenone, nicotine, neem, isoflavanoids, saponin, alkaloids and many more that are essentially active components of insecticides.

Even though several organic fertilizers and insecticides have been produced and introduced, still most farmers utilized inorganic fertilizers and insecticides in crop production in spite of the rapid increase in prices. This indicates that farmers are still unaware and/or unconvinced of the benefits that could be derived from the utilization of organic farm inputs. Thus, this study was to emphasize the significance of organic fertilizers and pesticides not only in increasing profits on agricultural production but also contribute on the conservation of the environment.

The preparation of botanical extracts used by [9], the botanical pesticides were prepared following a modified procedure of Oriental Herbal Nutrient. Leaves of madre de cacao and makabuhay stems were gathered before the preparation.

Moreover, in the study cited by Tapo, Dimog, and Dulawan [11], shows that the highest reduction of pest is from kakawate extract (T2) followed by makabuhay extract (T3) and synthetic pesticide (T4). Neem extract (T2) has the lowest number of pest reduction. Furthermore, the most common eggplant pest is aphids, with an average weekly incidence of 573 (Solanum melongena).

This study aimed to determine the effects of botanical plants: madre de cacao, makabuhay, marigold and neem against insect pests of tomato. Specifically, the study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these botanicals against common insect pests of tomato compared which among the treatments produced the best yield. And lastly, this study also aimed to identify the pest that can be controlled by the botanicals. Okwute, [12].

Research Design

The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to determine the biopesticidal effect of different extract on tomato.

A 416.5 m2 experimental area was divided into 4 blocks. Each block was subdivided into 5 plots with a dimension of 4.5m X 3m or 13.5m2 where the 5 treatments was randomly assigned by the draw lots method. A 0.5m was set as the distance between the plot and 1.0m between block. Thus, each plot has fifty (50) tomato plants.

• T1: Control (Commercial pesticide) 

• T2: Marigold plant extract

• T3: Madre de Cacao leaves extract 

• T4: Makabuhay vines extract

• T5: Neem leaves extract

Subject of the Study

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) treated with different botanical pesticide was the subject of the study. The effects were measured based on the average weekly population of aphids, fruit worm, thrips, fruit borers and fruit flies after application, yield performance and production income.

Sampling Procedure and Techniques

One thousand tomato plants were used as experimental units in gathering the data needed in the study. The data that were collected include the average weekly population of aphids, fruit worm, thrips, fruit borers and fruit flies after the application biopesticides and yield components such as number of harvested fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits, number of non-marketable fruit and production income.

Research Materials

The materials used in this study include Tomato seeds (Solanum lycopersicum) and leaf extracts of Madre de cacao, extract of marigold plant, extract of makabuhay vines and extract of neem leaves.

Tomato seeds (Diamante max F1) are a high-yielding and heat tolerant hybrid tomato with intermediate resistance to “kulot” or TLC and Bacterial wilt, fruits are high round, a firm with excellent transportability and storability. Typically matures within 60-65 DAT.

Techniques and Procedure

Preparation of the Treatments: The botanicals were cleaned and washed with water to remove unwanted debris. For extraction, the botanical was chopped using disinfected bolo or knife to produce the juice. The following procedures describe the steps undertaken in preparing the botanicals. Pest-free plants were selected during the selection of the different botanicals. Soft Stems and leaves were collected from Madre de cacao, plants from Marigold stems, from Makabuhay, leaves from the Neem tree.

The preparation of botanical extracts used by Tapo et al. [11], was followed in this study. The ratios of the botanicals to water are as follows: Treatment 1: Control (Commercial pesticide), Treatment 2: 1 kilo chopped madre de cacao leaves: 2 liters of water, Treatment 3: 15 grams chopped makabuhay vines: .25 liter of water, Treatment 4: 1 ½ kilo chopped marigold plant: 1 liter of water, Treatment 5: 100 grams chopped neem leaves: 1.5 liter of water.

The botanicals were freshly chopped separately. (A). One kilogram of chopped madre de cacao in two litters of water (B). Fifteen grams of chopped makabuhay to two hundred fifty ml of water (C.) One and a half kilogram of the chopped marigold plant in one liter of water (D). One a hundred grams of chopped neem leaves in one and a half-liter of water (E.) Put the recommended water in botanical plants (F). Put in a labeled container (G). Then covered with Manila paper and placed in a cool and dark place after mixing leave it for one week (H). Filter the juice to avoid clogging of the pressure sprayer during the application of the solution (I). Use a panel and place in a clean bottle (J). The juice produced is the stock solution. The dosage of spraying will be 30ml per liter of water.

Application of Treatments

The treatments were applied on the experimental plots with the use of a pressure sprayer. Treatments were applied seven days after transplanting. The ratio of each treatment was 30 ml per 1 liter of water. The controlled plots were sprayed using commercial pesticides. Each treatment used a different water sprayer and an appropriate barrier, which is chipboard #15 was used to avoid spray drifts. Formulated biopesticides solution was applied late in the morning, every seven 7 days.

Pest monitoring was done 7 days after transplanting and continued thereafter until the tomatoes reached the peak of harvest. An insect trap was installed using flypaper and in situ counts, to collect the insect present in the experimental area. An insect trap was installed before collection and after the application of biopesticides and recorded weekly. In situ count is the direct observation and counts of an insect within its habitat.

Postharvest

Postharvest was handled in the stage of crop production immediately following harvest, including cooling, cleaning and sorting the non-marketable fruits. The was removed from the ground or separated from its parent plants the morning and late in the afternoon.

Data Gathering of Pest Incidence

The biopesticidal effects of plant extracts were evaluated by the quantifiable measurement of the yield components of the plant. The data that was gathered includes an average weekly population of aphids, fruit worms, thrips, fruit borers, fruit flies and yield components such as the number of harvested fruits per plant, the weight of harvested fruit per harvest area, diameter of fruit (cm) length of fruit (cm), number of marketable fruits, number of non-marketable fruit and production income.

Yield Components

Length of the fruits (cm) was measured from the stem end to the stylar end of tomato fruit using caliper. Number of fruits per harvest area (pcs). The total number of fruits from each harvest area was counted. Width of the fruit (cm) was collected by measuring the width of the exocarp skin of tomato both sides.

Data Processing and Statistical Analysis

The data gathered were organized and presented in textual and tabular forms. Minitab was used to analyze and interpret data to determine the significant differences among the treatment means. Significant results were subjected to further analysis using Least Significant Differences (LSD).

Pest Incidence

Noticeably, no disease was observed in the experimental area. Though, a couple of insect pests were observed on the plants. The following parameters were taken to determine the biopesticidal effects of madre de cacao, marigold, makabuhay and neem extract on the pest incidence on tomato: The following pests were observed to be feeding on the plants during their vegetative stage: Aphids, flea beetle, fruit fly, fruit worm, lady bud, leaf beetle, leaf miner, short-horned grasshopper, spider mite, stem borer, thrips and whiteflies. During the fruiting stage, the stem borer is observed. However, these are effectively controlled by cutting the infected stem/shoot and spraying the plants with different treatments. All damaged fruits were also removed during harvesting to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. 

The effects of the treatments in terms of weekly population of an identified insect as shown in Table 1. It can be seen that there was an abrupt increase in aphid population between week 2 and 3. However, the continuous application of different pesticides contributes to the decrease in the number of aphids.

Average weekly population of green peach aphids have declined on the plants sprayed with the botanical extracts and commercial pesticide. This conforms to the study of Tapo et al. [11], that madre de cacao and makabuhay extracts had the same effect as that of the synthetic formulation in reducing insect pests on eggplant.

A pest count was done before and after pesticide application to establish the effect of the biopesticide on the pest population. It involves ten daily runs of “before-and-after effect” data gathering spread out from January 13 to March 11, 2021. Pre-counting of pests was conducted prior to the application of pesticides (treatments). The pests are recounted the following day and the difference between the pre-counting and post-counting was recorded. This difference represents pest reduction. Data on Table 2 shows the average reduction in pests after the application of treatment generally the average number of pests after the application is greatly reduced. Week 6 shows the highest reduction at 86.42, unit pests, followed by week 5 85.09, week 8 63.00, week 9 56.09, week 3 54.34, week 2 48.50, week 4 48.34 and week 1 exhibits the least decrease at 44.25, unit pests.

Table 3 shows that there is a highly significant difference in the pest incidence per week as to applied with organic pesticides. The result conforms that the common bioactive compounds in botanical pesticides are majorly secondary metabolites such as steroids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids and resins that possess antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, or insecticidal properties. 

The bioactive compounds in botanical pesticides have varied modes of action against different pests including insects, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and plant host cells infected by viral pathogens, plant extract can help in the reduction of the pest population [12]. 

The result conforms with the study of Tapo et al. [11], that the harvested eggplant treated with Madre de cacao and makabuhay leaf and stem extracts was the highest among other treatments. Result also conform with the study of Cadsawan and Olayta, [13], that the that the highest biological yield was found on arugula sprayed with makabuhay extract and the least was observed on the untreated plants.

Yield Components

The following parameters were taken to determine the biopesticidal effects of madre de cacao leaves, marigold plant, makabuhay vine and neem leaves extract on the yield components of tomato.

Table 1: Weekly Population of Insect Pest Present After Application of Pesticides

Table 2: Number of Pests by Species and Week of Observation

Table 3: Analysis of Variance of Pest Population Per Week

Table 4: Mean Number of Fruits from The Sample Harvest Per Week and Results of Analysis of Variance

Table 5: Mean Number of Non-Marketable Fruits from The Sample Harvest by Week and Results of Analysis of Variance

Number Marketable Fruits

Table 4 shows the number of marketable fruits per plant. Data showed that the highest number of marketable fruits was observed among tomato plants with commercial pesticide (T1) applied once a week while the least was noted on tomato plant sprayed with madre de cacao leaves, marigold plant, makabuhay vines, neem leaves extract applied once a week. A not significant interaction effect between different pesticides application was observed.

Statistical analysis using analysis variance show that the effect of madre de cacao, marigold, makabuhay and neem extract applied once a week and in the control was not significantly different from the effects of controlled treatment. This result indicates that the effect of fermented makabuhay on the economic yield of arugula was comparable with the effect of the commercial pesticide.

The yield as far as the number fruits is shown in Table 4 The highest yielder was found in Treatments 4 (makabuhay extract) and 5 (neem extract) with an average number of 593 and 602 fruits per sample harvest plant per week. This is closely followed by Treatment 3 (marigold extract) with 586 fruits per sample harvest by week and the Treatment 1 (Control) with 578 fruits per sample harvest by week and least is Treatment 2 (madre de cacao) with an average fruits per sample harvest by week 576. 

Data revealed that there is no significant difference between treatment and blocks in terms of harvest.

The result conforms with the study of Tapo et al. [11], that the yield of the plants treated with botanicals and synthetic has almost the same quality and number of fruits that they produce every week. Also, the blocking factor does not seem to offer a meaningful effect in so far as the average number of marketable fruits is involved. Result also conform with the study of Cadsawan and Olayta [13], that the that the highest biological yield was found on arugula sprayed with makabuhay extract and the least was observed on the untreated plants.

Number of Non-Marketable Fruits

Table 5 shows the mean number of non-marketable fruits under different biopesticides. Data showed that the highest number of non-marketable fruits was observed among samples with control (T1) while the least was noted on pant applied with neem leaf (T5) extract. A highly significant difference between the plant extract has been observed.

Table 6: Mean Weights of Fruits at Different Pesticides

Table 7: Production Income

T1: Control (commercial pesticide), T2 Marigold plant extract, T3 Madre de Cacao leaves extract, T4 Makabuhay vines extract, T5 Neem leaves extract

Statistical analysis using the least significant difference shows that the control has significant difference compare to Madre de cacao, marigold, makabuhay vines and neem leaf extract, respectively. The result conforms with the study of Pruitt, [14], that the harvested strawberry there was a significant interaction between cultivar and biopesticide combination treatment for unmarketable weight.

Average Weight of Fruits

Shown in Table 6 the average weight fruits from the sample harvest pant per week expressed in grams. The mean weights of marketable fruits in a descending order are 29.683 g., 28.398 g, 27.61 g, 26.61 g. and 25.683 g. for T5, T4, T3, T2 and T1 respectively.

The analysis of variance revealed that there is no significant difference among treatments. This means that all the plants sprayed with the different treatments had produced fruit that are comparable in terms of weight. Blocking, at the same time, is not necessary.

The result conforms with the study of Tapo et al. [11], that that all the plants sprayed with the different treatments had produced fruit that are comparable in terms of weight. Blocking at the same time, wasn’t not necessary. Result also conform with the study of Cadsawan and Olayta [13], that the that the highest biological yield was found on arugula sprayed with makabuhay extract and the least was observed on the untreated plants.

Production Income

The production income is presented in Table 7. The weight of harvested tomato fruits per plant was converted into production basis and into peso. 

Plants applied with neem extract once a week gained a net income of Php 21,650.00 This implied that tomato production utilizing neem extract as biopesticide lessen the expenses in purchasing inorganic pesticides.

Botanical pesticides have the same effect as synthetic pesticides in terms of reducing pests of the tomato plant. Yield is also apparently the same for all. Be as it may, the natural implication would be that botanical pesticides provide an effective substitute for synthetic formulation. The results exhibit that the four botanicals are as potent in controlling pests as their synthetic counterparts which lead the researcher to conjure that any one of the four organic materials may be used. Such a result is interesting in as much as it establishes the economic benefits from using botanicals pesticides. Yield also appears the same for all. Thus, there is reason to believe that, assuming conditions are the same, botanical pesticides offer the same fruit quality compared to using synthetic ones. Thus, in view of cost considerations, among others, the use of madre de cacao, marigold, makabuhay and neem extract to control for pests and the consequential impact on yield are as effective as synthetic pesticides.

Recommendation

In light of the conclusions, some recommendations are set forth that there should be a separate study to establish which among the botanicals is most potent.

• Twice a week application of botanical extract is recommended for high yield and net income

• Further studies should be undertaken using the same treatment for other crops

• Replication of the same study on colder months is recommended showing the acceptability of the crop and the occurrence of pest incidence

• Conduct pesticide residue studies to identify the residual effect of the plant extracts used

• Sensory evaluation for tomato should be conducted tomato eater/consumer is recommended to verify the results obtained

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