Akapulko (Cassia alata) As Pesticide for Seed Corn Maggot (Delia platura)

DAVAO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

F. Torres St. Davao City

A Science Investigatory Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements in

Research II (Grade 8 Level)

Submitted By:

Ang, Mack Lauron A.

Macalino, Jedidiah Lois S.

Gumapac, Florene Bhon S.

Mr. Jeffrey Roy A. Lopez, Prof. T. Bio, RN, MAN NC2

Research II Adviser

June 2017

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 Background of the Study

Agriculture has always been a reason why early humans on Earth survived. Until
now, agriculture is still practiced throughout the world and many people are still
dependent on it. Agriculture can be divided into four major parts; farming, fisheries,
livestock, and forestry. All of these create a huge impact to everyones life and it will
also affect future generations to come.

As we all know, Philippines is an agricultural country. It is because we have a

tropical climate or only have summer and rainy seasons. It can be seen that we are
dependent on food crop because our country is dotted with more than a thousand
farms. The country's main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane,
bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco, and abaca. Each crops have different
seasons for planting but all are significant to Filipino lives because it is not only the fruit
that can be used but also other parts of the plant.

Akapulko (Cassia alata) is a shrub found throughout the Philippines. It is known

under various names in different regions in the country. Locals call the plant katanda,
andadasi, and palochina in Tagalog, Ilocos and in the Visayas regions, respectively.
The shrub belongs to the family of Leguminosae, and grows about one to two meters
tall. It has thick branches and the leaves are embraced with 8 to 20 leaflets that are
oblong-elliptical in shape. The flowers of the Akapulko have oblong sepals. It is also a
medicinal herb that contains chrysophanic acid, a fungicide used to treat fungal
infections, like ringworms, scabies, and eczema. Akapulko also contains alkaloids,
tannins, saponins, and glycosides which may have potential as pesticide components.

Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that mostly

contain basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with
neutral and even weakly acidic properties. They are produced by a large variety of
plants, fungi, bacteria, and animals. Alkaloids have a wide range of pharmacological
activities like quinine which is antimalarial, ephedrine which is antiasthmatic, morphine
which is analgesic and chelerythrine which is antibacterial.

Because the Philippines is an agricultural country focusing on farming, farmer

experience a common problems within their farms, called pests. Pests are insects or

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 other animals that are destructive and mostly attack crops, food, and livestock. An
example of common pests in the Philippines are rats, cockroaches, and crop-eating
beetles. In this study, we will be focusing on the Seedcorn maggot (Delia platura), how it
destroys farms, and the ways to make your farms free of these maggots.

Seedcorn Maggots (Delia platura) are yellowish white and about 1/4 inch when
mature. The body is legless with a pointed head and a blunt tail. The brown pupae
cases are hard and football-shaped and are found in the soil near the roots. The adult
seedcorn maggot resembles a housefly with dark gray wings and 3 stripes on its back.
(Bessin R. November, 2003). Although seedcorn maggots feed primarily on organic
decaying matter like faeces or rotting plant parts (leaves, stem, flower, etc.), they will
also feed on seeds of soybeans and corns. Seedcorn maggots damage the cornfields
by boring holes into the seeds then eating the insides of the kernel, resulting in the
failure of germination of the seeds. Decaying matter within the fields attracts seedcorn
maggots, and when the decaying matter is gone, they transfer to the seeds of the corn.

This study aims to help the farms and cornfields infested with Seedcorn maggots
(delia platura) which will benefit the us by increasing the yearly yield of corn in our
country.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine if an Akapulkos (Cassia alata) bark can kill
Seedcorn Maggot (Delia platura).

1.) What are the significant differences between the mortality rate of Akapulkos
bark and the commercial product?

2.) What are the chemicals present in Akapulkos bark that can be used as a
pesticide?

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 Assumptions and Hypothesis

Null: There is no significance in the terms of the length of time the Seedcorn Maggot
were killed between the treatment group and the control group.

Alternative: There is significance in the terms of the length of time the Seedcorn Maggot
were killed between the treatment group and the control group.

Conceptual Framework

Dependent Variable

Independent Variable

Pulverized Akapulko
(Cassia alata) tree bark in terms Seedcorn Maggot control in
of the following: terms of the number of Seedcorn
Maggot killed by the pulverized
Akapulko (Cassia alata) tree
T1 = 10 g pulverized Akapulko barks and water solution.
(Cassia alata) tree bark

T2 = 20 g pulverized Akapulko
(Cassia alata) tree bark

T3 = 30 g pulverized Akapulko Output

(Cassia
Fig.alata) tree bark
1, Conceptual Paradigm

Pulverized Akapulko
(Cassia Alata) Bark pesticide
spray.

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 Review of Related Literature

Akapulko

Fig. 1: An image of Akapulko shrub

Akapulko is a medicinal plant, which is abundant here in the Philippines. It cures

many diseases specially the leaves that are anti-mutagenic, anti-fungal, analgesic and

anti-inflammatory (Villasenor, 2002).

Previous studies revealed that C. alata L. contains emodin (Kelly, 1994),

kaempferol, rhein, sitosterol and aloe emodin (Rao, 1975; Villaroya and Bernal-Santos

1976), isochrysophanol and physcion-L-glucoside (Smith and Sodaquat 1979),

alatinone (Kalidhar and Kalidhar 1993; Yadav and Kalidhar 1994), stigmasterol

(Hofilea, 2000), flavonoid glycosides, anthrones, glucose, alquinone, cassiaxanthone

(Gupta and Singh 1991), and Alarone (Hemlata and Kalidhar 1994). Fatty acids such as

linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid were also isolated from the seed oil

(NAPRALERT 2003). However, no data has yet been reported on the fatty acid content

of its leaves.

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 Importance of Corn

Fig. 2: An image of cornfields in Davao

Corn which is classified as corncobs is an important source of furfural, a liquid

used in manufacturing nylon fibers and phenol-formaldehyde plastics, refining wood

resin, making lubricating oils from petroleum, and purifying butadiene in the production

of synthetic rubber. Ground corncobs are used as a soft-grit abrasive. Large whole cobs

from a special type of corn are used for pipes for smoking tobacco oil, as cooking and

salad oil and as margarine. It is also used in the manufacturing of paints, scups, and

linoleum. The search for alternate source of energy has brought attention to corn as a

fuel source. Corn is processed to produce alcohol for use with gasoline as gasohol. The

dry stalk is potentially important for fuel biomass (Moseman, 2006).

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 Seedcorn Maggot

Fig. 3: An image of Seedcorn maggots Fig. 4: An image of a Seedcorn fly, the full-

grown form of a Seedcorn maggot

Seedcorn maggot is a widely distributed insect pest in the temperate regions of

the world. The seedcorn maggot is the larva of a small, light gray fly that is about 0.15

inch (4 mm) long. The whitish, legless maggots are about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long and

attack the planted seed of a number of crops during the winter and early spring months,

particularly if there is a cold period that prevents quick germination of the seed. Maggots

may overwinter in the soil or hatch from eggs laid in spring. (Philipps, 2016)

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 Commercial Insecticides

Fig. 5: Bottles of commercial insecticides

Soil insecticides, applied in a 7-inch band over the row at planting, can do a good

job of controlling rootworm larvae. For best results, the insecticide should be

incorporated lightly into the soil with the press wheel, drag chain or tines. In general,

banded treatments will provide better protection of the root zone than in-furrow

applications. Cultivation treatments can be applied later in the season but must coincide

with the beginning of larval feeding (early June). These may be applied at the base of

the plant or over the row with most of the granules falling to the ground. Basal or "over

the row" applications must be followed by cultivation to be effective. Cultivation

treatments can be as effective as planting time treatments, but they must be timed

properly. Unfortunately, there is no good method of sampling for small rootworm larvae

in order to time cultivator treatments. Cultivation treatments may be advantageous for

early planted fields (early to mid-April). In these cases, decomposition of insecticide

applied at planting may result in an inadequate amount of insecticide to satisfactorily

control rootworms. Sufficient insecticide must be present in the soil to protect the root

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 zone. Heavy rainfall immediately following planting may result in premature degradation

or movement of some products out of the root zone area. Under very dry conditions,

insufficient soil moisture may prevent movement of the product into the root zone.

Applying less than the recommended rate because of improper calibration also can

cause reduced control. Early planting may result in decomposition or degradation of

rootworm products so that soil residues are below that required for satisfactory control.

Any one or a combination of these can affect the performance of insecticides used for

rootworm control. Control of rootworm larvae by soil insecticides has been erratic in

scattered locations across the Corn Belt. Research has indicated that enhanced

microbial degradation through continuous use of a product in certain fields is a major

contributing factor to control failures. To date, no documented problems have been

detected in Kentucky. Farmers should be aware, however, that some fields may be

predisposed to more rapid insecticide decomposition, based on the history of a single

product. (Towsend and Bessin 2014)

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 Significance of the Study

Corn is an important source furfural, a liquid in manufacturing nylon fibers; etc, and
processed to produce alcohol for use with gasoline as gasohol. But nowadays Farmers
are troubled by the depletion of their corns that is primarily caused by seedcorn
maggots. Seedcorn Maggots are insects attacking on corns. So because of this
situation we decided to produce a study/product that can benefit the farmers and some
humans to avoid the depletion of their crops. This study/product helps the Filipino
Farmers to kill those seedcorn maggots that can cause their crops to be consumed by
using a pesticide that is environmental friendly and no side effects to humans. The
pesticide will be made from an Akapulkos (Cassia alata) plant which is known as a
medicinal plant. Akapulkos bark tree has a saponin, tannin, alkaloids and
glucopyranoside that can help kill the Seedcorn maggots. This study will try the
effectiveness of the Akapulkos bark tree as a pesticide for seedcorn maggots.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The study will focus on the potential of Akapulko (Cassia alata) bark in displaying a
pesticidal property. Then the seedcorn maggot will be gathered next. There will be 30
live specimens gathered, for this number is the only number necessary for the
conduction of the study. The live specimen will be gathered from Davao del Sur. The
result of this study will be based on the observational data gathered from the
specimens. The materials and the references will be delimited in this study because of
the unavailability of internet. This study will be delimited due to the financial capacities
of each proponent and will be conducted at one of the proponents house.

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 Definition of Terms

Akapulko is a tropical shrub and found throughout the Philippines which grows about

1.5-3 meters tall with an open crown branched at base brittle branches of distinctive

habit with large leaves and long terminal upright panicles of yellow flowers.

Alkaloids are any of a class of naturally occurring organic nitrogen-containing

bases. Alkaloids have diverse and important physiological effects on humans and other

animals. Well-known alkaloids include morphine, strychnine, quinine, ephedrine, and

nicotine.

Glucopyranoside is any glycoside of glucopyranose

Glucoside is a glycoside derived from glucose.

Glycoside is a compound formed from a simple sugar and another compound by

replacement of a hydroxyl group in the sugar molecule. Many drugs and poisons
derived from plants are glycosides.

Saponin is a toxic compound that is present in soapwort and makes foam when shaken

with water, any of the class of steroid and terpenoid glycosides typified by this,

examples of which are used in detergents and foam fire extinguishers.

Tannin is a yellowish or brownish bitter-tasting organic substance present in some galls,

barks, and other plant tissues, consisting of derivatives of gallic acid, used in leather

production and ink manufacture.

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 References/Bibliography

Espino, C. D. (2006, June) Danilo_Extraction and Partial Structure Elucidation of Phytol

and Ethyl Esters with Anti-Bacterial Properties from Cassia alata Linn. (Akapulko) Leaf
Extracts. Retrieved from

http://fs.mapua.edu.ph/MapuaLibrary/Thesis/Extraction%20and%20Partial%20Structure
%20Elucidation%20of%20Phytoland%20Ethyl%20Esters%20with%20Anti-
Bacterial%20Properties%20from%20Cassia%20Alata%20Linn%20Leaf%20Extracts%2
0FULL%20TXT.pdf

Asian Seedcorn Maggot. (2017, June). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian seedcorn_maggot

Binay-an, P. C. (2008, April). The Insect Pests of Sweet Corn, Sugar 75 (Zea maize
Saccharata) at La Trinidad, Benguet. Retrieved from

digilib.bsu.edu.ph/greenstone/collect/undergra/index/assoc/HASHa89d.dir/doc.pdf

Moseman, A. H. (2006). Corn. Microsoft Encarta 2007 [CD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft
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Martin, J. H. (1976). Principles of Field Crops Production (3rd ed). London: Collier
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Villaseor I. (2002). Bioactivity studies on Cassia Alata Linn. Leaf extracts. Research

Gupta D and Singh J. (1991). Flavonoid glycosides from Cassia alata. Phytochem
30(8): 2761- 2763.

Kelly T. R., Ma Z. and Xu W. (1994). Revision of the structure of alatinone to emodin.

Phytochemistry 36 (1): 253-254.

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 Smith R. M. and Sodaquat A. (1979). Anthraquinones from the leaves of Cassia alata
from Fiji. N J Sci 22(2): 123-126.

Rao J. V. (1975). Occurrence of Kaempferol and aloe-emodin in the leaves of Cassia

alata. Curr. Sci 44(20): 7356-737.

Villaroya M. and Bernal-Santos R. (1976). A chemical investigation of Cassia alata.

Asian J Pharm (1): 253-254.

Kalidhar H. and Kalidhar S. B. (1993). Alatinone, an anthraquinones from Cassia alata.

Phytochem 32(6): 1616-1617.

Hofilea J. G., Ragasa C. Y. and Rideout J. A. (2000). An antimicrobial and

antimutagenic anthraquinones from Cassia alata L. ACGC Chem Res Communications.

Hemlata and Kalidhar H. (1994). An anthrone from Cassia alata. Proc Nat Acad Sci
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