Introduction

Background of the Study

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an essential leafy vegetable which is part of the plant family,

Asteraceae (Davey, Anthony, Van Hoof, Power, & Lowe, 2007). It is most often used for salads,

soups, sandwiches, wraps, and a variety of dishes that can be prepared from it. The significance of

lettuce lies in its high nutritive value. According to Whelan (2014, para. 4), lettuces are nutrient-

rich in vitamins A, C, K, folate, and iron. However, this high nutritive value of lettuces makes it

susceptible to insect pest attack.

Green Peach Aphids (Myzus persicae) are one of the most common pests that feed on

lettuce. According to Flint (n.d., para. 8), “Aphids have the possibility to transmit viruses on a

certain vegetable which magnifies its threat for crop production.” Plant pests such as Green Peach

Aphids cause considerable damages and losses in vegetable production. Some of these pests suck

cell sap from plants which reduces a plant’s potential to photosynthesize, thus reducing plant

productivity and a huge decline in the marketing value. Despite the efficiency of using pesticides

to resolve this problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the usage of these

materials are deemed harmful to human health. Synthetic pesticides also result in environmental

contamination and water pollution as toxic chemicals get mixed with water bodies.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is

widely used as a spice and folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual

pseudostems (false stems) about a meter-tall, bearing narrow leaf blades (“Ginger, NCCIH Herbs

at a glance,” 2016). Gingers also have a strong aroma, which is the result of the presence of the

pungent ketones like gingerol (Nader et al., 2009). In a study by Echezona and Dialoke (2012), it
is found that ginger residues extraction, with higher concentration, can provide protection or

control against plant pests like Okra flea beetles and Cowpea bruchid (Callosbruchus maculatus

F.) in Nigeria. Numerous studies about ginger as an alternative pesticide have also been tested

against pests like American boll worm, aphids, plant hoppers, thrips, white fly, root knot

nematodes, brown leaf spot on rice, mango anthracnose, and yellow vein mosaic (Sridhar et al.,

2002).

Siling Labuyo (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a small chili pepper cultivar native in the

Philippines. It is characterized by triangular fruits which grow pointing upwards. The fruits and

leaves are used in traditional Philippine cuisine. A notable characteristic that chili peppers possess

is its pungent flavor caused by a compound called “capsaicin” (“Scoville Scale: Ultimate list of

peppers,” 2018). In a study by Tuan, Anh B. L., and Anh B. N. H. (2014), chili, when combined

with garlic solution, has the capacity to reduce pests such as Diamondback moth, Cutworm and

Flea beetle in cabbage crop. Not only did it controlled the insect pests, it also improved the growth,

yield, and the quality of the cabbage vegetable. Moreover, another study conducted by Kora and

Teshome (2016) have tested the botanical extracts of chili and other plants against Pea aphid

(Acrythosiphon pisum) on Field pea plant (Pisum sativum L.). The said study has shown that

Marigold and other plants have the pesticidal ability to control against the mentioned pest types.

However, the mentioned studies above did not evaluate and test Ginger and Siling Labuyo

extract concentration against a certain type of aphid which is Green Peach Aphids on lettuce

vegetation within Albay area. The past studies have been conducted in various locations like Africa

and Nigeria, but almost little to none of these studies have been conducted in the Philippines,

specifically in the Bicol Region. As the title of the study suggests, these factors somehow becomes

the gap that this present study wants to bridge.

Statement of the Problem

The researcher aims to determine the effectivity and efficiency of ginger and siling

labuyo as Green peach aphid pesticide on lettuce.

Specifically, the researcher seeks to answer the following questions:

1.) What is the effect of using ginger and siling labuyo as pesticide against Green peach

aphid on lettuce plants in terms of:

a.) Number of Green peach aphids killed

b.) The time it took to kill the aphids

2.) Which concentration of ginger and siling labuyo extract is required in order to

effectively kill the aphids?

a.) 50% Ginger, 50% Siling Labuyo

b.) 75% Ginger, 25% Siling Labuyo

c.) 25% Ginger, 75% Siling Labuyo

d.) 85% Ginger, 15% Siling Labuyo

e.) 15% Ginger, 85% Siling Labuyo

3.) Is there an identifiable difference between the control and experimental groups in terms

of the number of aphids killed on the lettuce?

Hypothesis

If Ginger and Siling labuyo extract is used as Green peach aphid insecticide on lettuce, then the

number of aphids killed will vary with each level of concentration.

Scope and Delimitations

The study is interested on the investigation of the ginger and siling labuyo as Green peach

aphid pesticide on lettuce plants. It aims to compare and analyze the results recorded from different

concentration levels of ginger and siling labuyo extract against a specific type of pest—Green

peach aphid on a lettuce vegetation. The properties that will be studied include: a.) number of

Green peach aphids killed and b.) the time it took to kill the aphids in order to determine the

effectivity of the said pesticide. The study would also like to identify which among the levels of

concentration of ginger and siling labuyo is the most efficient pesticide against the aphids.

Significance of the Study

This study aims to bear significant benefits to the following beneficiaries:

Farmers and Gardeners. The results of this study may be able to aid farmers and

gardeners for a smarter and more efficient way to solve problems against Green peach aphids in

order to improve the growth rate of the lettuce plants that they are growing.

Agricultural Industry. The results of this study may be able to give enterprises the idea

to use the best alternative concentration of ginger and siling labuyo pesticide against aphids. In

this way they might not potentially harm the environment and human health.

Plant enthusiasts. Similar to the farmers and gardeners, plant enthusiasts may be able to

use the outcome of this study to solve insect pest attacks in their own garden.

Future Researchers. The information presented in this study may be able to provide as a

basis for future researchers conducting similar studies.

 Materials and Methods
This study is a Descriptive-Experimental type of research design wherein the conducting
of the experiment involved control over manipulation of the independent variable, as well as a
controlled group, and controlled variables for more precise and accurate results.

2.1 Insect culture

A stock culture of Green peach aphids (M. persicae) will be maintained on Lettuce (L. sativa)
under room conditions of 20.0±5.0 ºC and 70.0±5.0 % R.H. and a photoperiod of 16 L: 8 D. In all
experiments, the insects will be put on fresh lettuce plants

2.2 Lettuce cultivation

The lettuce seeds will be planted in a 5x2m seed bed of gardening/loam soil at a spacing of
30x50cm, wherein each seed will receive 1L of water and 10-12 hours of sunlight per day. This
will be done for approximately 1-2 months, until the lettuces are seen fit to be habitable by the
green peach aphids.

2.3 Ginger and Siling Labuyo Extract

The outer layer of the matured ginger will be peeled off. 200g of ginger and siling labuyo will each
mixed with 1L of water and ground with a blender to achieve ginger and chili juice. Both juices
will then be sieved to obtain a uniform mixture.

2.4 Concentration level of Ginger and Siling Labuyo

Five different concentration levels of Ginger and Siling Labuyo extract will be used in the
experiment. Each concentration will be placed in a bottled labeled from A to E. For Bottle A, 50%
of the 200mL of Ginger extract will be used and added to the 50% of Siling Labuyo extract, Bottle
B will contain 75% Ginger extract and 25% Siling Labuyo extract, Bottle C will have 25% Ginger
extract and 75% Siling Labuyo extract, Bottle D will have 85% Ginger extract and 15% Siling
Labuyo extract, and lastly, Bottle E will contain 15% Ginger extract and 85% Siling Labuyo
extract.

2.5 Data Collection

The following factors were measured: (1) the time it will take to eliminate the green peach aphids
and (2) the number of aphids that will be killed.
2.6 Data Analysis
The data that will be collected will be analyzed through means of observation and periodical
checking of the researchers. The results that will be gathered after completing the three trials will
be averaged and compared in order to determine the most efficient concentration level of Ginger
and Siling Labuyo as Green Peach Aphid pesticide on lettuce.
 References

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 LEGAZPI CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
BITANO, LEGAZPI CITY S.Y. 2019 – 2020

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Siling Labuyo (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Extract as Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae)
Pesticide on Lettuce

Name of Students:
Ma. Sherina Isabella B. Romero
Kate Andrea Aringo Guiriba
Isabella Miraflor
Hannah Eliza Mallapre
Mariah Angela Ordiz

Section of Students:
9-Boyle

Research III Adviser:

Ms. Cristelle Alan S. Imperial Jr.