‘Botanopesticides’ as good as commercial ones — study

In the agriculture world, they have come to be popularly known as "botanopesticides."

These are pesticides formulated from botanical plants that have medicinal properties, among the popular ones being tubli (Derris elliptica), makabuhay (Tinospora rumphii), and kayos (Dioscorea hispida).

And the good news, based on scientific studies, is that botanopesticides are as good as commercially prepared pesticides.

One such study was done by researchers of the Western Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo City. The research, titled "Field testing and evaluation of formulated botanicals against insect pests of commonly grown vegetables in Region VI," was conducted by G.L. Penicilla, R.L. Penpillo, J.C. Calabio, and I.Z. Albacete.

In the study, the WVSU researchers tested in the field and evaluated under greenhouse condition botanicals from tubli, makabuhay, and kayos against aphid, whitefly, and fruit borer of pechay, eggplant, green onion, and hot pepper.

The botanicals were formulated by a research team of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV).

The botanicals in powder and liquid forms were diluted in water at 5 tablespoon per liter, 10 tbsp/L, 15 tbsp/L, and 20 tbsp/L before application in the field or greenhouse.

"Based on the field trials, the average yield of vegetables treated with commercial insecticides and those treated with botanopesticides and those from the control were not significantly different," the researchers reported.

In the control of aphids and mites, formulations of kayos, makabuhay, and tubli at 20 tbsp/L in powder (40-50 kilograms per hectare) or liquid (80 L/ha) were as effective as the commercial insecticides.

The effect of liquid natural insecticides at 20 tbsp/L water was comparable with that of commercially prepared insecticide in controlling adult whiteflies within one day of spraying.

The researchers concluded: "At the farm level, the use of natural insecticides in liquid formulation at 80 L/ha is effective against infestations of aphids, mites, and whitefly in vegetables." – Rudy A. Fernandez