THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LPG AS AN ORGANIC PESTICIDE
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LPG AS AN ORGANIC PESTICIDE
An Undergraduate Thesis
Presented to the College of Education and Liberal Arts
Davao Central College
Toril, Davao City
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to the Degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education
Major in Biological Science
By:
Sharyl Shane P. Gadgude
Hyacinth B. Egos
April G. Datahan
March 2014
ABSTRACT
Pesticides
are important tools for exterminating and preventing pestilence as well as
painful or uncomfortable pest or insect bites. Determining the effectiveness of
LPG as an organic pesticide is the main goal of the study. In order to test the
effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide, researchers’ initially obtained
the natural element and extract of lemon grass, garlic and green chili pepper
through blending and classified into different solutions. The researchers were
able to apply the various solutions including LPG as an organic pesticide to black
ants, red ants and cockroaches. Involving the scientific
control group experimental design, the results show that
there is a significant difference in the effectiveness of other solutions in
favor of LPG as an organic pesticide. On the other hand, to widen the study
researchers conducted an actual experimentation in the application of LPG as an
organic pesticide and administered a survey, garnering a total of thirty (30)
respondents from Brgy. Bato, Brgy. Sto.Nino and Brgy. Dumoy. Base from the
findings of the study, it shows that LPG as an organic pesticide is safe in
household use, abundant and within reach of users, environment friendly,
preserves soil, affordable and additionally, very effective when applied to the
types of pests present in the study. Furthermore, this research opens a gate
for a good alternative instead of buying expensive pesticides and thus, will
produce significant and relevant information for future studies regarding to organic
pesticides.
Background
of the Study
People around the globe are
suffering the same stress on how to get rid of pests at home. Pests like ants
and cockroaches boarding at home are hassle and risky part to one’s health. Due
to the observable increase of diseases caused by pests, the spread of different
kinds of pesticide are now available in the market. But as the number of pesticide
increases, carbon emissions in the atmosphere also increase because of chemical-based
pesticides and its price is expensive.
In India, lemongrass herb is a very popular plant and used
for medicine, food and insect repellant. Unlike
DEET which can be toxic and harmful, lemongrass is extremely safe and is listed
on the EPA's GRAS list. People all over the world have come to rely on the
potent insect repellant properties of lemongrass and utilize it as a personal
and area spray. Many repellant now turn to all natural ingredients as more and
more negative data is released pertaining to chemical compound found in many of
the top selling repellant brands (NewTechBio, 2007).
Another study shows the use of garlic–based insect repellant
in San Clemente, California. The Garli-Eze product which was launched on
October 2006, in which its primary concern was to repel insects such as flies,
insects in horses and in livestock’s (Sahelian, 2014).
In Bangladesh, a study entitled “Homemade Bio-Pesticides and Organic
Pest Management in Organic Farming” revealed that homemade bio-pesticides are
always friendly environment, safe, low cost or free of cost locally available
resources utilization system through engaging family labor. The common
understanding on homemade bio-pesticides and organic pest management was very
positive. Both preventive and control measures were taken by the farmers in the
study area (Islam and Morshed, 2013).
In Canada, another study showed that choosing organic
pesticide is safer and thus more environment friendly than synthetic chemicals.
The data of the study bring
into caution the widely held assumption that organic pesticides are more
environmentally benign than synthetic ones. All pesticides must be evaluated
using an empirically-based risk assessment, because generalizations based on
chemical origin do not hold true in all cases (Bahlai, et.al., 2010).
In the Philippines, organic pesticide was
usually used among limited
resource farmers to control insect pests on their fields. This insect repellant was a mixture
of ground, dried fruit of pepper mixed with chillies and applied to kola nuts
was found to have repellent properties against kola weevils. They have also
found the effectiveness of the extracts of chilli pepper in mixture with garlic
onion bulbs extracts and lemon grass leaf extracts against some leaf eating
pest crops (Misra,
2013).
In
Davao City, according to Roy C. Alimoane, director of the Davao-based Mindanao
Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc., every year hundreds of
thousands of people are killed due to accidental poisoning by agricultural
chemicals. People who consume chemical-laced vegetables risk their lives since
chemicals are not always dissipated. Generally, chemicals accumulate in
the human body. As a response to such health concerns, the use of organic
pesticides is now fast gaining wider acceptance among farmers. Organic pesticides
are derived from plants which have been shown to have insecticidal properties.
(Tacio, 2009)
The citizens in Toril,
Davao City was relying only in chemical based insect repellants that can easily
be bought in the market. Instead of exploring organic substances that could
repel insects, they depend on the products that are available in the market. So,
our study aims to introduce a biological insect repellant which is an organic
product that could repel insects and not harmful to one’s health and
environment.
In line with the
study, researchers conduct an experiment with regards the effectiveness of LPG
as an organic pesticide. There is a need to study this in order to prove whether
or not the LPG as an organic pesticide is effective in eliminating pests more
specifically at home. Aside from this, the researchers seek to make this
organic pesticide safe to household users and environmentally friendly. The
study may determine the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide. Further,
this study discusses on how effective, abundant, safe, environmental friendly
and affordable LPG are as an organic pesticide.
METHOD
On this section, the researcher’s research design,
respondents, instruments, research instrument, data gathering procedure and
data analysis tools are all presented accordingly.
Research Design
The researchers used the scientific control group experimental
design, in order to measure the level of effectiveness of LPG as an organic
pesticide to the types of pests present in the study. This design gives
reliable baseline data to compare results. This consists of positive control group
and negative control group (Shuttleworth, 2010).
The
positive control group is expected to have a positive result and allows
researchers to show that the set-up was capable of producing results. In comparative experiments, the control group, receive either no treatment or a standard treatment (Wikipedia, 2012). In the
researchers’ study, the control group used a standard treatment which is the
product LPG as an organic pesticide. This
control group is administered with treatment of LPG to the respective pests
present in the study.
The negative control group is the
process of using the control group with the administration of other treatments
classified into the following solutions: lemon grass only, garlic only, green
chili pepper only, lemon grass and green chili pepper, lemon grass and garlic
and garlic and green chili pepper.
|
Negative Control
|
Positive Control
|
|
Solutions
|
Standard Treatment
|
Figure 2. Diagram of negative and positive control groups
Research Respondents
As part of the experimentation, the
researchers of the study were the former respondents to foresee and witness the
effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide. With the aid of constructed
survey questionnaire, researchers were able to determine the level of effectiveness
of LPG as an organic pesticide when applied to types of pests (black ants, red
ants, cockroaches) and when classified to different solutions.
To make the data reliable and valid, the
researchers decided to conduct an actual experimentation and administer a
survey in Brgy. Bato, Brgy. Sto. Nino, and Brgy. Dumoy. There were a total of
thirty (30) respondents involved in the survey and each were provided of survey
questionnaires in order to rate the effectiveness of LPG as an organic
pesticide to the types of pests present in the study. Moreover, it was easier
to determine the household safety, abundance and within reach of users,
environment friendly, soil preservation and affordability of LPG as an organic
pesticide.
Table 1
Frequency Distribution
of Respondents
|
Barangay
|
Number of Respondents
|
Percentage (%)
|
|
Brgy. Bato
|
10
|
33.33
|
|
Brgy. Sto. Nino
|
10
|
33.33
|
|
Brgy. Dumoy
|
10
|
33.33
|
|
Total
|
30
|
99.99
|
Research Instrument
The instrument used
in the study is a constructed questionnaire to draw out information concerning
on the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide. The instrument was
presented to the group of experts and the panel of examiners for validation of
the items.
To determine the
level of effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide, the following scales are
used:
|
Range
|
Descriptive Equivalent
|
Description
|
|
4.50-5.00
|
Very effective
|
If the pests were
eliminated less than 3 minutes, LPG as an organic pesticide is very
effective.
|
|
3.50-4.49
|
Effective
|
If the pests were
eliminated from 3 minutes to 5 minutes, LPG as organic pesticide is
effective.
|
|
2.50-3.49
|
Moderately Effective
|
If the pests were
eliminated from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, LPG as an organic pesticide is
moderately effective.
|
|
1.50-2.49
|
Less Effective
|
If the pests were
eliminated from 10 minutes or more. LPG as an organic pesticide is less
effective.
|
|
1.00-1.49
|
Not effective
|
If the pests were not
eliminated, LPG as an organic pesticide is not effective.
|
Data
Gathering Procedure
In the scientific control group experimental design the
gathering of data follows a scientific method involving the collection and
preparation of LPG as an organic pesticide and other solutions, effectiveness
testing, precautionary measures, conduct of actual experimentation and
administer of survey.
Collection
and Preparation of LPG as an Organic Pesticide.
The following are the process of making the LPG as an organic pesticide.
1. Prepare
10 stalks of lemon grass, 3 cloves of garlic, 50 pieces of green chili pepper,
blender, chopping board, knife, squeezer, container/receiving vessel, 1 ½ glass
of water and empty spraying bottle.
2. Use
the chopping board with the aid of knife chop the 10 stalk of lemon grass, 3
cloves of garlic, and 50 pieces of green chili pepper into bits.
3. Using
the blender blend all the lemon grass, green chili pepper, garlic and 1 ½ glass
of water.
4. After
blending, use the squeezer to compress the blended lemon grass, garlic and
green chili pepper on the container or receiving vessel to collect all the
extracted oil.
5. After
collecting all the extracted oil, place it on an empty spraying bottle for it
to be used in exterminating insects.
Other
Solutions. The above processes are the same processes
used in the collection and preparation of the following:
·
Lemon grass only (Cymbopogon citratus)
·
Garlic only (Mansoa alliacea)
·
Green chili Pepper only(Capsicum annuum var. longum)
·
Lemon grass and Green chili pepper
·
Lemon
grass and Garlic
·
Garlic
and Green chili pepper
Effectiveness
Testing. The following are the processes in gathering and testing
live black ants, red ants and cockroaches in order to determine the
effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide and other solutions.
Black
Ants. Researchers searched areas with black
ants and on observation black ants are commonly found in citrus fruits and
trees. With an aid of a knife, researchers cut a twig of a tree containing a
clump of black ants on its leaves. A cage made of wood as a framework with
screen on two sides having a dimension of 12 x 12 x 12 cm. was made and the
leaf with black ants was placed in the box, having a top side as an opening.
For negative control. The
black ants were treated of other solutions. Continuous spraying is applied
under observation within the time duration of 20 minutes until a result is
recorded. The black ants were placed in an individual cage due to the testing
of various solutions prepared.
For positive control. The
black ants were treated of LPG solution. Continuous spraying is applied under
the time duration of 20 minutes until a result will be recorded. And was also
placed in a separate cage.
Since the number of black
ants cannot be determined, it was divided into four (4) quadrants in order to
determine how many were eliminated from varied solutions prepared.
Red
Ants. Gathering live red ants needs an extra care. Researchers
decided to make a trap since red ants, like sweet things found in the ground a
candy was placed inside an individual cage made of wood as a framework with
screen on two sides having a dimension of 12 x 12 x 12 cm. was made, with its
top side as the opening.
For negative control. The
red ants were treated of other solutions. Continuous spraying is applied under
observation within the time duration of 20 minutes until a result is recorded.
In this group, red ants were separately placed in a cage for the testing of
various solutions prepared.
For positive control. The
red ants were treated of LPG solution. Continuous spraying is applied under the
time duration of 20 minutes until a result will be recorded to what extent and
how many red ants were eliminated from varied solutions prepared. This was also
placed in a separate cage.
Cockroaches.
Researchers
had a hard time catching live cockroaches because of its ability to fly and
agility to escape so easily. With the help of Kubota (2000), in his page
entitled “Science at Home Series” researchers were able to catch live
cockroaches.
A trap was made using common household items. It
worked so well that it was almost unbelievable. The trap captured many
roaches including some very large wingless juveniles that were first thought to
be a different species. Over a few days, one trap captured more than 20
roaches. In preparing the materials for this demonstration, the
first night resulted in two roaches. Somehow the trap fell over the next
night and all of the roaches escaped. The third night resulted in 6
roaches. These are the following steps in making a trap for catching live
cockroaches.
1. Using the knife carefully cut the
bottle.
2. Lightly spray the inside with the non-stick cooking oil.
Using a piece of paper towel wrapped around the chopstick, rub the inside
surface to evenly distribute the oil. Be careful not to get oil on the
outside of the container. The oil will make the surface slippery so that
the roaches will not be able to climb out.
3. Fold a piece of paper towel and put it in the bottle. Put
some sugar in and then add some water just enough to moisten the sugar and
paper towel.
4. Invert the cut off portion of the bottle and insert it into the
bottle. Secure this inverted portion with tape.
5. Set the trap, preferably against a wall where roaches are known to
exist. Roaches captured and left in the trap will attract more roaches.
Be sure to secure it so it won't fall over.
6. Another idea would be to oil the inside of a bottle, bait it, and
leave it out overnight. If roaches are found in it the next morning,
simply put the cap on and transfer it into the cage made of wood as
a framework with screen on two sides having a dimension of 12 x 12 x 12 cm. with
its top side as the opening.
For negative control. The three
(3) cockroaches were treated of other treatments. Continuous spraying is
applied under observation within the time duration of 20 minutes until a result
is recorded. Each cockroaches were placed in a different cage for testing of
various solutions prepared.
For positive control. The other
three (3) cockroaches were treated of LPG solution. Continuous spraying is
applied under the time duration of 20 minutes until a result will be recorded
to what extent and how many cockroaches were eliminated using LPG as an organic
pesticide.
Precaution. Cover the topside of the box with a screen when
performing the treatment on the black ants, red ants and cockroaches to prevent
escape.
Conduct of Actual Experiment and Administer of Survey. Making the researchers’ data and observations relevant
and reliable, the researchers decided to conduct an actual experimentation from
different sectors and administer a survey in order to determine the
effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide. The following steps were
implemented and observed in the gathering of data.
1. The researchers prepared
the types of pests placed in an individual cage. Together with this,
researchers also brought the LPG as an organic pesticide for testing.
2. The researchers seek permission from the respondents of
Brgy. Bato, Brgy. Sto. Nino and Brgy. Dumoy garnering a total of thirty (30)
respondents all in all. Pertaining to the conduct of actual experimentation on
the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide, the researchers explained the
directions, in filling up the survey questionnaires.
3. Winning the approval of
the said request, the researchers prepared all the needed materials in
conducting actual experiment and administering of survey questionnaires. Under
the time duration of twenty (20) minutes, the LPG as an organic pesticide is
applied to black ants, red ants and cockroaches.
4. The respondents were
given five (5) minutes in answering the questionnaire. The researchers retrieved
the survey questionnaires right after the conduct of the experiment.
5. The data collected were
tallied based from the objectives of the investigation and treated using the
suitable statistical tools.
Data
Analysis Tools
The data collected through
the experiment were tallied and treated using the following tool:
Mean. This
tool was used to determine the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide when
applied to black ants, red ants and cockroaches.
F-ratio.
This
tool was used to determine the
significant difference in the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide when
classified to solutions.
SUMMARY,
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
On
this section, researchers presented the summary of findings, conclusion and
recommendation.
Summary
of Findings
The summary of the
study on the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide were summarize as
follows:
1.
The computed mean score for effectiveness of
LPG as an organic pesticide when applied to black ants was 3.97 or effective,
when applied to red ants is 4.97 or very effective, when applied to cockroach
was 4.97 or very effective and the over-all mean score for the effectiveness of
LPG was 4.64 or very effective.
2.
The percentage of the “yes response” application
of LPG in terms of household safety was 83.6%, abundance and within reach of
users was 83.6%, environment friendly was 86.7%, soil preservation was 73.3%
and the affordability was 73.3%
3.
The computed mean of lemon grass was 3.34,
garlic was 3.69, green chili pepper was 3.35, lemon grass and green chili
pepper was 3.34, lemon grass and garlic was 3.68, garlic and green chili pepper
was 3.47 and LPG was 14.34. The over-all P-value of all the solutions was 0.00
or significant.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, the
following conclusions are drawn:
1.
The LPG as an organic pesticide when applied
to black ants, red ants, and cockroaches is very effective.
2.
Majority of the respondents agree that the
use of LPG as An organic pesticide is safety to household use, abundant and
within the reach of the users, environment friendly, preserves soil, and
affordable.
3.
There is a significant
difference in the effectiveness of LPG as an organic pesticide when classified
according to solutions in favor of the LPG.
Recommendations
In
the light of the foregoing findings and conclusions, the following
recommendations are offered:
1.
The respondents rated the LPG organic
pesticide as very effective, thus it is recommended to all users to use and
apply this product at home or even on local places, if suffering on pests like
cockroaches, black ants and red ants.
2.
The respondents rated the LPG organic
pesticide as safe, abundant, environment friendly, maintains soil fertility and
affordable, thus it is recommended and encouraged to use this organic pesticide,
because of its positive results and effects.
3.
Furthermore, the researchers also recommended
the product in purpose to help other studies and instead of buying expensive
pesticides.
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Kodus boss! Your passion for the pursuit of excellence is worthy of emulation..Keep it up..Hope to work with you on a project soon..
TumugonBurahin