Plant-Based Protection: Rhizome Extract Pesticides for Healthier Glutinous Corn | InformativeBD

Enrique E. Biñas Jr.,  from the institute of Philippines. wrote a Research article about, Plant-Based Protection: Rhizome Extract Pesticides for Healthier Glutinous Corn. Entitled, Efficacy of rhizome crude extracts organic pesticide against insect-pests and its impact on glutinous corn (Zea mays L. var. ceratina) Production. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The intractable increasing cost of synthetic pesticides is certainly intense in the coming production years. Looking into this viewpoint the farmers have to look for alternative actions to withstand their farming business profitability. Rhizome crude extracts can be an alternative for synthetic pesticides. This study was conducted to assess the effect of rhizome crude extracts against glutinous corn seedling maggots, corn earworm, corn borer, armyworm, and aphids; evaluate the effect of rhizome crude extracts on the growth and yield of glutinous corn, and determine the profitability of glutinous corn production using rhizome plants as a source of organic pesticide. The treatments were as follows: T0 – No pesticide applied; T1 – Potable water alone; T2 – Ginger crude extracts; T3 – Turmeric crude extracts; T4 – Galangal crude extracts; and T5 – Shampoo ginger crude extracts. Results revealed that insect-pests and their damage on glutinous corn crop were significantly lessened by the application of rhizome crude extracts regardless of sources. This contributed to the significant stover yield and harvest index performance of treated plants with rhizome crude extracts thus obtained a profitable yield compared to those plants without any pesticide applied.

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Introduction

Corn is one of the most important cereal grains in the world (Arnarson, 2019). It is considered a versatile crop because it is not only consumed by humans and animals but also used as raw materials for industrial and agricultural purposes (Duong, 2020).

Glutinous corn is one of the types of corn. It is considered as one of the main sources of income of the farmers (Cabrido, 2018). However, glutinous corn is prone to common corn insect-pests. It might be the reason why glutinous corn decreased its production thus led the farmers to have a problem raising this crop (FAO 2019; Estes, 2016).

Insect-pest is one of the major biotic factors affecting the growth and yield of crops (Liliane and Charles, 2020). A severe incidence of pests can lead the crop to decrease its yield (Cerda et al., 2017). The trending insect-pest in corn nowadays is the fall armyworm. This pest brought serious damage to the corn crop (Chemwita et al., 2020). Other insect-pests such as corn seedling maggots, corn earworm, corn borer, etc. also contributed to the reduction of corn production (Kumar et al., 2018). There are many recommended synthetic pesticides for corn (Bessin and Jhonson, 2017), however, it is expensive and there is a tendency to pollute the environment and may be dangerous to human health.

Proper crop protection is important to attain better yields while eliminating the negative effects on the environment and human health. Many articles revealed that there are a lot of organic pesticides as an alternative for synthetic pesticides, one of which is botanical crude extracts from plants that have pesticidal properties. Rhizome plants are discovered to be the best sources of botanical pesticides (Khan et al., 2014; Hossain et al., 2008). Pandi et al. 1993, studied the insecticidal constituents of rhizome plants. He found that there are compounds that have contact toxicity against larvae of the polyphagous insect-pest Spodoptera littoralis. Nine compounds including the most active sesquiterpenoids xanthorrhizol and furanodienone showed pronounced toxicity against neonate larvae of S. littoralis in a contact residue bioassay. It means to say that rhizome plants have strong pesticidal properties and has been proven that could control insect-pests (Chaubey et al., 2011; Singh et al., 2012; de Souza Tavares et al., 2016). This can be proof that rhizome crude extracts can be used as an organic pesticide for crops.

The intractable increasing cost of synthetic pesticides is certainly intense in the coming production years. Looking into this viewpoint the farmers have to look for alternative actions to withstand their farming business profitability. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order 481 on the Promotion and Development of Organic Agriculture in the Philippines on December 27, 2005. Then, Former Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban signed Administrative Order No. 9 series of 2006 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of EO 481 (Gov.Ph 2005).

The Department of Agriculture has come up with programs and projects in support of EO 481. Thus, the application of bio-organic inputs such as botanical pesticides on crops is highly encouraged in response to the program.

Since there are limited studies on rhizome crude extracts as an alternative organic pesticide, hence this study was conducted to (1) assess the effect of rhizome crude extracts against glutinous corn seedling maggots, corn earworm, corn borer, armyworm, and aphids; (2) evaluate the effect of rhizome crude extracts on the growth and yield of glutinous corn, and (3) determine the profitability of glutinous corn production using rhizome plants as a source of organic pesticide.

Reference

Aryani DS, Auamcharoen W. 2016. Repellency and contact toxicity of crude extracts from three Thai plants (Zingiberaceae) against maize grain weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschlusky)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Biopesticides 9(1), p.52.

Assefa BT, Chamberlin J, Reidsma P, Silva JV, van Ittersum MK. 2020. Unravelling the variability and causes of smallholder maize yield gaps in Ethiopia. Food Security 12(1), pp.83-103.

Bessin and Johnson. 2007.  Insecticide Recommendations for Corn. UK Cooperative Extension Service. University of Kentucky-College of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.uky.edu/ Ag/PAT/recs/crop/pdf/ENT-16_Field_Corn.pdf

Cabrido A. 2018. Planting Glutinous Corn. Retrieved from https://businessdiary.com.ph/ 2483/ planting-glutinous-corn/

Cerda R, Avelino J, Gary C, Tixier P, Lechevallier E, Allinne C. 2017. Primary and secondary yield losses caused by pests and diseases: Assessment and modeling in coffee.; PloS one 12(1), e0169133.

Chaubey MK. 2011. Insecticidal properties of Zingiber officinale and Piper cubeba essential oils against Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature 1(5-6), pp.306-313.

Chimweta M, Nyakudya IW, Jimu L, Bray Mashingaidze A. 2020. Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith)] damage in maize: management options for flood-recession cropping smallholder farmers. International Journal of Pest Management 66(2), pp.142-154.

de Souza Tavares W, Akhtar Y, Gonçalves GLP, Zanuncio JC, Isman MB, 2016. Turmeric powder and its derivatives from Curcuma longa rhizomes: insecticidal effects on cabbage looper and the role of synergists. Scientific reports 6, p.34093.

Donatelli M, Magarey RD, Bregaglio S, Willocquet L, Whish JP, Savary S. 2017. Modelling the impacts of pests and diseases on agricultural systems. Agricultural systems 155, pp.213-224.

Duong, A. 2020. The Versatility of Corn. Retrieved from https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/subject/ news/the-versatility-of-corn-20200110,accessed 202

Estes K. 2016. Corn Earworm, European Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, or Western Bean Cutworm: Which One Is Causing the Injury I’m Finding on My Corn Ears? Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved from https://farmdoc.illinois.edu/field-crop-

Food and Agriculture Organization. 2009. Corn farmers in Ilocos Norte [Philippines] received very low income from corn due to low yield and high production costs. Journal Article. Volume p. 160-161.

Hikal WM, Baeshen RS, Said-Al Ahl HA. 2017. Botanical insecticide as simple extractives for pest control. Cogent Biology 3(1), p.1404274.

Hossain MS, Zaman S, Haque ABMH, Bhuiyan MP, Khondkar P, Islam MR. 2008. Chemical and pesticidal studies on Acorus calamus rhizomes. Journal of Applied Sciences Research 4(10), pp.1261-1266.

Khan A, Islam MH, Islam ME, Al-Bari MAA, Parvin MS, Sayeed MA, Islam MN, Haque ME. 2014. Pesticidal and pest repellency activities of rhizomes of Drynaria quercifolia (J. Smith) against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Biological research 47(1), p.51.

Kumar P, Singh R, Suby SB, Kaur J, Sekhar JC, Soujanya PL. 2018. An overview of crop loss assessment in maize.

Liliane TN, Charles MS. 2020 Factors Affecting Yield of Crops. Agronomy-CCFS 9.

Pandji C, Grimm C, Wray V, Witte L, Proksch P. 1993. Insecticidal constituents from four species of the Zingiberaceae. Phytochemistry 34(2), pp.415-419.

Rahman S, Biswas SK, Barman NC, Ferdous T. 2016. Plant extract as selective pesticide for integrated pest management. Biotechnological Research 2(1), pp.6-10.

Singh KM, Singh MP, Sureja AK, Bhardwaj R. 2012. Insecticidal activity of certain plants of Zingiberaceae and Araceae against Spodoptera litura F. and Plutella xylostella, Saunders in cabbage. Indian Journal of Entomology 74(1), pp.62-68.

Sulong Y, Mohamed S, Sajili MH, Ngah N. 2019. Survey on Pest and Disease of Corn (Zea mays Linn) grown at BRIS Soil Area. Journal Of Agrobiotechnology 10(1S), pp.75-87.

Tembo Y, Mkindi AG, Mkenda PA, Mpumi N, Mwanauta R, Stevenson PC, Ndakidemi PA, Belmain SR. 2018. Pesticidal plant extracts improve yield and reduce insect pests on legume crops without harming beneficial arthropods. Frontiers in plant Science 9, p.1425. 

Article source :  Efficacy of rhizome crude extracts organic pesticide against insect-pests and its impact on glutinous corn (Zea mays L. var. ceratina) Production 

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Marketing Abaca Fiber: Insights from Caraga Region Farmers | InformativeBD

Rosalina A. Sagocsoc, from the different institute of the Philippines. wrote a research article about, Marketing Abaca Fiber: Insights from Caraga Region Farmers,entitled, Farmers practices in marketing Abaca fiber in Caraga Region. Farmers practices in marketing Abaca fiber in Caraga Region. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity, under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

 Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the marketing practices and the profitability of establishing Abaca in the Caraga Region. A total of One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Six (1256) farmers, Seventy-Seven (77) traders, and three (3) processors were interviewed as the respondents of the study. Their names were obtained from the Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of the concerned municipalities of the Region. Data gathering activities included interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), and stakeholder forums were conducted to validate and gather additional information. The said Focus Group Discussion and Stakeholders’ Forum were attended by the farmers, officers in various cooperatives, traders, representatives from the regional line offices, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO), Academe, Provincial Agriculture Officer. In the Caraga Region, abaca traders are situated in Agusan del Norte 28 or 36.36%, Agusan del Sur 25 or 32.47%, Surigao del Sur 24 or 31.17% and no traders in the province of Surigao del Norte. The one who sets the price for abaca fiber is the trader/buyer 99.28 % and only 0.71% sets by the farmer. The means of contacting buyers are referrals by the farmers 32.96%; traders will come to the farmers 27.46%, recommended by the Local Government Unit (LGU) 23.88%, and traders who are known by the cooperatives 15.68%. The buyers’ requirements in buying abaca fibers are quality 63.69% and volume 36.30%. Traders engage in buying Abaca for more than 15 years or 38.5%; 1-5 years, 30.12%; 11-15 years, 18.07% and 6-10 years, 13.25%. The means of transporting abaca fiber is through motorcycles 43.37% and hired trucks 56.61%. The estimated monthly volume sold is 1- 5 metric tons or 92.77% and 6 – 10 metric tons. The farmer’s Abaca fibers through Barangay or Municipal Traders, Cooperatives/Consolidators, Baling and Grading Establishment, Processors, and exporters. The issues and concerns for the traders are the following: classification and grading of fiber, cheating abaca bundles where stones inserted to increase weights, abaca fiber not adequately dried, and piles of Abaca are mixed with other fibers. The profitability of abaca farming for 1 hectare /year is the average of P48,000 for a typical farm, while for a good farm is P115,200 – 192,000. 

Read more : Bolo Bamboo: Exploring Flour Substitute's Functional Properties | InformativeBD

Introduction

The "Manila hemp," known internationally for its world-class fiber, continues to be one of the priority agricultural commodities of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Philippines supplies more than 87.4 percent of the total abaca fiber market and earns more than $111.33 million in global abaca trade annually (PCA, 2017). 

In 2022, as per PhilFIDA data, Caraga ranked third among the top abaca-producing regions in the country with an estimated 10,000 metric tons (MT) of fiber production, next to Bicol Region (1st) and Davao Region (2nd).

Abaca is in great demand in the world market today because of its lucrative value in industries such as making security papers, paper money, ropes, insulators, and other handicrafts. The most important part of the Abaca is the stalk which is the source of the fiber. Abaca fiber is superior to all other natural fibers because of its great strength and its resistance to the action of water. It is three times stronger than cotton, the most potent natural fiber. 

The country’s overall fiber production is estimated at 62,640.63MT, remaining the top abaca-producing country, supplying 85% of the fiber demand in the world.

Pulp, which accounts for 69.2 percent market share of the abaca exports, has reported earnings of $ 79.4 million or an increase of 11.7 percent. Abaca cordage, which grabbed a market share of 10 percent, fell to $ 11.4 million. Fiber crafts exports also fell 67.3% to $3.7 million (The Philippine Star, 2016). The pulp manufacturing industry is the leading end-user of abaca fiber, followed by cordage manufacturing and fiber craft industry. It was reported that due to the increasing use of abaca fiber in specialty paper manufacturing, the demand for fiber among pulp manufacturers is constantly surging, and the trend is expected to prevail in 2014-2019. Among the leading abaca fiber suppliers, Ching Bee Trading Corporation dominates the market in the Philippines, followed by Tag Fibers, Inc. and Selinrail International. 

For the past half-decade, the Abaca industry helped boost the country’s economy from its export earnings with an annual average of P4.7 billion, mainly in the Visayas and Mindanao Islands. Abaca fibers are cultivated across 176,549 hectares of farmlands by over 122,758 farmers. Moreover, in recent years, it has been perceived that aside from the substantial contributions of Abaca to the economy, its utilization can also provide numerous ecological advantages (www.philfida.da.gov.ph, 2019).

With the continuing development of the fiber craft industry in the Philippines, the abaca fiber market has been witnessing a boost due to the growing demand for gifts, toys, and housewares. Moreover, increasing consumer inclination for lifestyle products is further expected to strengthen the growth trend for abaca crafts in the coming years. There are only two significant exporters of abaca fiber in the world – the Philippines and Ecuador, with the Philippines accounting for over 80% of the global production of abaca fiber. In the Philippines, the abaca plant is cultivated across 130 thousand hectares of land by over 90 thousand farmers. 

Asia Pacific was the largest market for abaca fiber in terms of production and consumption over the past few years, and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. The Philippines, the world's largest abaca producer, hold a significant market share in Asia Pacific. A considerable portion of produced abaca fiber in the Philippines is internally consumed, while a substantial amount is exported to various countries, including U.S., Japan, and other European countries. The Philippine government supports initiatives to increase high-quality abaca fiber production levels for domestic consumption and export. This is expected to strengthen its market positioning further and open market opportunities for new players over the next seven years (Erie News, 2019).

Thus, this undertaking is critical to fill the data gaps of the recently conducted Value Chain Analysis of the Commodity in the Region. Profiling tells us the actual scenario of how many abaca farmers engaged in this commodity, what support programs they availed in our present administration, what they need, and what other issues and concerns so that our government can also make some intervention programs for our abaca industry.

Major end-user industries of abaca fiber include paper and pulp, fibercraft, and cordage. The paper and pulp industry is the largest end-user industry for abaca fiber, followed by cordage manufacturing and fiber craft industry. Increasing the application scope of abaca fiber in specialty paper manufacturing is likely a critical factor driving demand for abaca fibers in the paper & pulp industry. The rising market for cordage in industrial applications, including the production of ropes for ships, is expected to boost its demand over the next seven years.

Reference

Abaca Sustainability Manual Published by Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, 2016

Department of Agriculture, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority. 2016-2019, www.philfida.da.gov.ph

Edwin R. Celestino, Gregorio O. Sarmiento, Jinky T. Benicio, 2016. Value Chain Analysis of Abaca (Musa textiles) Fiber in Northern Samar, Philippines, IJISET- International Journal of Innovative Science & Technology, Vol.3, Issue 8.

Enhanced Provincial Commodity Investment Plan, Province of Agusan del Norte. http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2016

Philippine Abaca helps in global environment conservation. 2016-2019. Department of Agriculture, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority. www.philfida.da.gov.ph.

Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). 2014. I-PLAN Component Mindanao Cluster, Value Chain Analysis and Competitiveness Strategy: Abaca fiber Mindanao, Department of Agriculture Mindanao Regions.

The Philippine Star, 2016, Louise Maureen Simeon  www.philfida.da.gov.ph2016.

Source : Farmers practices in marketing Abaca fiber in Caraga Region

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