RESEARCH PLAN

Title:

PESTICIDAL EFFECT OF GUMAMELA (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.)

EXTRACT AGAINST RICE GRASSHOPPER (Hieroglyphus banian)

Researcher:

Zurielle L. Radones

Category:

Physical Science

Background of the Study

An agricultural problem is posing a great danger to rice production across Asia,

particularly in Southeast and East Asia, and rice grasshoppers are being held responsible for this

threat. Rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) are a graminivorous grasshopper species.

Nymphs consume a variety of grasses, whereas adult grasshoppers oftentimes move towards

cultivated fields. It causes heavy damage to nurseries and reduces yield (Muhammad Saeed et

al.). Damages are especially evident during August and September, where leaf shedding may

occur.

Synthetic pesticides are the most commonly used means of managing the widespread of

rice grasshoppers in rice plants, but farmers typically find them ineffectual (Heinrichs, E.A., n.d).

They are known to be hazardous to both human health and the environment. Synthetic pesticides

have also been associated with the development of resistant pests and pathogenic strains. As a

result, the demand for organically produced products surges, sparking a pursuit for alternate ways

to treat this, with botanical pesticides gaining prominence. Botanical pesticides are pesticides

derived from a wide variety of plant groups. They are known to be effective in dealing with a

variety of crop pests, as well as being affordable and easily biodegradable. Their sources are
easily available and do not harm non-target organisms (Geraldin M.W.Lengai, James W.Muthomi,

Ernest R.Mbega, 2019). These attributes characterize Hibiscus, the synthetic pesticide alternative

of this study.

Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) is a flower that can grow to be 4 to 8 inches wide,

but can also grow to be 10 inches wide. It contains flavonoids which are ideal components for

pesticides. Flavonoids protect plants against insect pests by influencing insect behaviour, growth,

and development (Simmonds, 2001). Furthermore, gumamela is easily obtainable in our country.

The importance of gumamela in this study is that its extract will be used to produce a botanical

pesticide that will help farmers eliminate rice grasshoppers without the use of synthetic pesticides.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to produce a natural pesticide extracted from gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-

sinensis L.) to increase the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian). This study

boosts crop productivity and reduces rice grasshopper populations as well as maintains

ecological stability through the use of botanical pesticides.

This study seeks to answer the following questions:

1) Which treatment containing gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) extract is the most

effective in increasing the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian),

namely: treatment one, 10mL, 100% gumamela extract; treatment two, 10mL, 75% pure

gumamela extract and 25% distilled water, and; treatment three, 10mL, 50% pure

gumamela extract and 50% distilled water?

2) Is there a significant difference on the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers applying the

various treatments of gumamela extract?

Ho: None of the treatments containing gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) was effective in

increasing the mortality rate of the rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian).

Ho: There is no significant difference on the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers applying the

various treatments of gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) extract.

Conceptual Framework

This study focuses on the increase in mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian)

with the use of the various treatments of gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) extract.

Different Concentration Levels of gumamela

(Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) Extract:

100% pure gumamela extract

75% pure gumamela extract Mortality rate of

and 25% distilled water rice grasshoppers
(Hieroglyphus banian)
50% pure gumamela extract
and 50% distilled water

Malathion Insecticide
Positive Control (+)

Distilled Water
Negative Control (-)

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Figure 1: Shows the independent variable in this study are the different concentration levels of

gumamela
 Proposed Experimental Design

The study will use the 5 by 3 Completely Randomized Design (CRD) for its experimental design

on gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) extract.

Different Concentration
R1 R2 R3 Mean
Levels of Gumamela Extract

100% Gumamela Extract X X X X

75% Gumamela Extract X X X X
50% Gumamela Extract X X X X
Positive Control (+) X X X X
Negative Control (-) X X X X

Materials

The materials needed for this study are as follows: Dark pink and red gumamela flowers,

75 rice grasshoppers, Malathion insecticide, rotary evaporator, glass jar, distilled water, 5 spray

bottles, latex gloves, face mask, 15 mesh nets, plastic gallon, beaker, syringe, straw lace, timer,

and notebook.

Flowchart of Procedures

Collection of Gumamela flowers

Extraction of Gumamela flowers

Preparation of the Different Concentration Levels of Gumamela Extract

Preparation of Controlled Treatments

Collection of Rice Grasshoppers

 Transferring of Rice Grasshoppers to mesh nets

Application of the Different Concentrations of Gumamela Extract

Application of Controlled Treatments

Observation

Data Analysis

Methods

Collection of Gumamela Flowers

The dark pink and red gumamela flowers will be collected from various locations in Kalibo, Aklan.

This will be washed with tap water.

Extraction of Gumamela Flowers

The flowers will then be brought to Saint Gabriel College to undergo its extraction process

through the use of a rotary evaporator.

Preparation of the Different Concentration Levels of Gumamela Extract

The pure gumamela extract will be reconstituted in distilled water in various concentrations,

namely: treatment one, being 100% pure gumamela extract; treatment two, being 75% pure

gumamela extract and 25% distilled water, and treatment three, being 50% pure gumamela

extract and 50% distilled water. They will be placed in their respective spray bottles.
Preparation of Controlled Treatments

After preparing the different concentrations of gumamela extract, the positive and negative control

treatments will be prepared as well. Malathion insecticide will be the positive control, and distilled

water will be the negative control. Both control treatments will be placed in their respective spray

bottles as well and will be labeled accordingly.

Collection of Rice Grasshoppers

The rice grasshoppers will be collected in a rice field located in Tangalan, Aklan. The insects will

be caught by hand and placed in a large plastic gallon. This will be done with the assistance of a

farmer.

Transferring of Rice Grasshoppers

There will be a total of 75 rice grasshoppers that will be used for the experiment. The rice

grasshoppers will be carefully transferred into their respective mesh nets. Five insects will be

placed in each net.

Application of the Different Concentration Levels of Gumamela Extract

Each replicate will be sprayed accordingly with the different concentrations of gumamela extract.

Application of Controlled Treatments

Each replicate assigned to the positive and negative controls will be sprayed accordingly.

Observation

After spraying the different treatments, the behavior of the rice grasshoppers will be observed.

The insects will be examined over a 24-hour time period.

Data Analysis

The data will be gathered through direct observation. The statistical tool that will be used is one-

way ANOVA.

Risk and Safety

Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) flowers are not poisonous, but they may cause

allergic reactions (National Library of Medicine, 2009). Fortunately, the researcher in this study

was not found to be allergic. Therefore, no special laboratory clothing or equipment will be

needed in relation to this plant. Rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) are also found not to be

harmful or toxic to humans, thus not being a great threat. However, considering that chemical

agents will be utilized in the experimentation process, the student researcher will perform the

study under Biohazard Safety Level 2 (BSL 2) conditions.

References

Lecoq, M., & Zhang L. (2019) Rice grasshopper. In Sultana, R., & Lecoq, M. (Eds.), Encyclopedia

of Pest Orthoptera of the World (pp. 106-110). China Agricultural University Press.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342078165_Rice_grasshopper_Hieroglyphus_banian_F

abricius_1798_Acrididae

Think Rice. (2020). How Rice Grows.

https://www.usarice.com/thinkrice/discover-us-rice/how-rice-grows

Lengai, G. M. W., et al. (2020). Phytochemical activity and role of botanical pesticides in pest

management for sustainable agricultural crop production.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619308002

M. Saeed, F. Hussain, &M. Batool (2013). Rice Grasshopper: Hieroglyphus banian.

https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/doi/10.1079/PWKB.20157800174
Magalong, A.L. (2007). Phytochemical contents and antimicrobial properties of floral extracts

from different gumamelacultivars. https://agris.fao.org/agris-

search/search.do?recordID=PH2008000353#:~:text=Flavonoids%20were%20present%20only%2

Oin,in%20shoeflower%20and%20fringed%20gumamela