Madre
de Cacao is nitrogen-fixing tree. In some areas, it is referred to as a
quick-stick due to the characteristic of growing almost right away just by
cutting it and directly planting it in the ground. It is a fast growing tree
with a maturity height of 10 meters (33 feet). It is adaptable to almost any
soil environment, including infertile soils. It is tolerant to salt spray and
water logging. It can tolerate drought for up to 6 to 8 months. This tree can
be potentially weedy, but rarely causes a problem. Its ubiquitous
characteristic makes it good alternative for feeds due to its availability in
almost at all areas in the country.
Army
worms, cabbage lopper, case worm, tobacco budworm, whorl maggots are examples
of farm insects. Insects are the largest single group of animals in the world.
About 750, 000 different kinds of insects are known, and more are being
discovered every year. Human kind fights a constant battle against harmful
insects. We do this in a number of ways.
One of this is by the use of
insecticide sprays (An insecticide is a chemical that kills insects.) the use
of pesticides allows us to produce more food than ever before on less land.
Pesticides work on a variety of ways. Some pesticides
poison the pests and stop basic life processes, such as ability to breathe.
Other pesticides the pests from growing normally. Insecticides that are similar
to an insect naturally hormones cause the insect to grow abnormally. The
insects may never grow into adult, so it would never reproduce.
Pesticides can be classified into natural or chemical.
Natural pesticides comes from plant extract, while chemical are often made with
sulfur and sometimes kill pests on contact. These chemical pesticides leaves
toxic residue to the environment.
A study done by Alfredo Rabena, a full time professor
at the University or Northern Philippines in Vigan City, found that Madre de
Cacao leaves are good source of coumarins. A toxic substance that can kill
almost all types of pests and insects.
Rabena said one kilogram of kakawati leaves, soaked In
water overnight can produce seven gallons of “botanopesticides” (botanical
pesticides).
“The more leaves, the more concentrated the pesticides
he said.
Rabena said he conducted the study in 1996 in
collaboration with a Malaysian chemist Dr. Nordin Lajiz at the University of
the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna
“The three-year study found
botanopesticides are effective pest control.” He said, adding the technology is
being used by rice and vegetable farmers in eight municipalities in Ilocos sur.
Rabena said he wants to provide Filipino farmers an
alternative to commercial pesticides to lessen the cost of production.
He said the Madre de Cacao plant is endemic to
tropical countries such as the Philippines.
Example:
A.
Materials
Madre de Cacao ½ kilo of leaves
Grinder or mortar and pestle
20 liters of Water
Strainer
Pail
B.
Procedure:
1.
Pound and pour
the Madre de Cacao leaves
2.
Soak overnight in
20 liters of water in a pail.
3.
With the use of a
strainer, strained the solution.
4.
Test samples of
farm insects were acquired and divided into two groups, one group is placed
inside the box A while the other group in box B.
5.
The solution were
sprayed in box A with the use of Madre de Cacao while box B were sprayed with a
chemical insecticide.
6.
Observe for 30
mins.
7.
It was being
tried with different test samples.
Results and discussion:
Out of 10 insects, the Madre de
Cacao leaves only reaches 8, while the commercial insecticide all are affected.
|
|
Farm Insects affected
|
Farm Insects unaffected
|
|
Commercial Insecticides
|
10
|
0
|
|
Madre de Cacao
|
8
|
2
|
The result of mixing the Madre de
Cacao is more safer than a commercial insecticide because it lives toxic
residue for human and environment.
