PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Biochemistry
Individual Category

Student Researcher/s:
ZURIELLE L. RADONES

Adult Sponsor
GEORGINA D. FRANCISCO
Bachelor in Secondary Education, Major in Biochemistry

Qualified Scientist
ANGELO C. CASTRO
BS Agricultural Chemistry, MS Horticulture
RESEARCH
PLAN
 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
FORMS AND
ABSTRACT
RESEARCH
PAPER
 PESTICIDAL EFFECT OF GUMAMELA (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.)
EXTRACT AGAINST RICE GRASSHOPPER (Hieroglyphus banian)

Researcher:
Zurielle L. Radones

Category:
Physical Science

Regional Science High School for Region VI

Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan

ABSTRACT

Synthetic pesticides are commonly used in agricultural practices to manage insect pests.
However, they are well known to be harmful to the environment and human health. The purpose of the
study was to create a botanical pesticide made of gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) flowers against
rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian). Gumamela flowers were collected, extracted, and stored in
spray bottles for distribution. 100% pure gumamela extract, 75% gumamela extract: 25% distilled water,
50% gumamela extract: 50% distilled water, and positive and negative controls were used. 75 rice
grasshoppers were subjected to the five different treatments. Each mesh bag contained five insects, with
three replicates for every treatment. The treatments were then sprayed directly onto the insects 10 times
and monitored after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. After 24 hours, the results from each concentration
differed. All replicates for treatment 1, which was 100% gumamela extract, produced the same result.
The rice grasshoppers were killed by the gumamela extract. The results showed that gumamela extract
can increase the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers. This proves that gumamela extract, as a botanical
pesticide, can be a great alternative to commonly used synthetic pesticides.

Keywords: Synthetic pesticide, Botanical pesticide, Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.), Rice
grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian), Gumamela extract, Mortality rate

1
 INTRODUCTION

An agricultural problem is posing a great danger to rice production across Asia, and rice
grasshoppers are being held responsible for this threat. The rice grasshopper (Hieroglyphus banian) is an
important pest of rice. 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.

The use of synthetic pesticides has become integrated into agricultural practices to control insect
pests and weeds (Ramya Manjunath, et al.). They are well known to be hazardous to the environment and
human health. The development of resistant pests and pathogenic strains has also been linked to synthetic
pesticides. Botanical pesticides, on the other hand, are pesticides that come from a wide range of plant
species. They are recognized to be inexpensive, easily biodegradable, and effective in dealing with
various crop pests. Their sources are easily available and do not harm non-target organisms
(GeraldinM.W.Lengai, et.al., 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. Its flowers contain flavonoids, which are ideal pesticide components. The
importance of gumamela in this study was that its flower extract was used to produce a botanical pesticide
that will help farmers eliminate rice grasshoppers without the use of synthetic pesticides.

Specifically, this study evaluated the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian)
using the different concentration levels of gumamela extract. This study has shown the effectiveness of
botanical pesticides' ability to boost crop productivity, reduce rice grasshopper populations, and maintain
ecological stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

The materials used in the study were the following: 2 kg of dark pink and red gumamela flowers
collected from several towns in Aklan, 75 rice grasshoppers, Malathion insecticide (40 mL), a rotary

2
evaporator (used for extraction in the laboratory), a glass jar, zip lock, distilled water, 5 60 mL spray bottles,
latex gloves, face mask, 15 mesh nets, a timer, plastic gallon, beaker, syringe, straw lace, and notebook.

Methods

Collection of Gumamela Flowers

Dark pink and red gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) flowers were collected from Kalibo, Numancia,
and Tangalan, Aklan.

Figures 1-2. Gumamela flowers collected from Kalibo, Numancia, and Tangalan, Aklan

Extraction of Gumamela Flowers

The gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) flowers were washed and brought to Saint Gabriel College to
undergo an extraction process with the use of the rotary evaporator.

Figures 3-4. Rotary evaporator and rotary evaporator heating bath

3
Preparation of Different Concentration Levels of Gumamela Extract

Using a syringe, the pure gumamela extract was then divided into three concentrations: 100% pure extract,
75% pure extract, and 25% distilled water, and 50% pure extract and 50% distilled water.

Figures 5-6. Pure gumamela extract and separation of pure gumamela extract for different treatments

Preparation of Controlled Treatments

For the preparation of controlled treatments, 40mL of Malathion insecticide was used for the positive control,
and 40mL of distilled water was used for the negative control.

Figure 7. 40ml of Malathion insecticide

4
 Collection of Rice Grasshoppers

The rice grasshoppers were carefully caught by hand with the assistance of a farmer.

Figure 8. Collected rice grasshoppers

Transferring of Rice Grasshoppers

A total of 75 rice grasshoppers were used for the study. The insects were carefully transferred into five
treatments with three replicates, with each mesh net containing five rice grasshoppers.

Figure 9. Transferring of rice grasshoppers into their respective mesh nets

Application of Different Concentrations of Gumamela Extract and Controlled Treatments

Five sets of three mesh bags were sprayed with the different concentrations of gumamela extract and
controlled treatments accordingly.

5
 Figure 10. Application of gumamela extract

Observation of Rice Grasshopper Activity

One hour after spraying the different treatments, the rice grasshoppers' behavior was observed. The
grasshoppers were examined again three, six, twelve, and twenty-four hours after spraying the
extract.

Figure 11. Observation of rice grasshoppers

Data Analysis

The information obtained from the observation was then analyzed.

Figure 12. Analyzing of data

6
 RESULTS

Table 1. Mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) using different concentration
levels of gumamela extract after 24 hours of observation

Different Concentration R1 R2 R3 Mean

Levels of Gumamela Extract

100% Hibiscus L. Extract 5 5 5 5

75% Hibiscus L. Extract 3 5 3 4
50% Hibiscus L. Extract 3 3 3 3
Positive Control (+) 5 5 5 5
Negative Control (-) 0 0 0 0

This table shows the number of rice grasshoppers killed using the five different treatments
for this experiment. The data was gathered through direct observation over a 24-hour period.

Table 2. One-Way ANOVA results of the Mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus
banian) using the different concentration levels of Gumamela extract

Source of Variation SS df MS f P-value f-crit

Treatment 34.4 4 8.6 21.5 0.00238 5.192168

Error 2 5 0.4
Total 36.4 9

The statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with an alpha level of 0.05.
Since the p-value is less than the alpha level, it can be concluded that there is a significant
difference between the groups.

7
 DISCUSSION

A 24-hour observation period was imposed on the rice grasshoppers. Throughout these periods, it
was observed that the insects had very significant responses to the various gumamela extract treatments.
For the first hour of observation, in treatments one to three, for all replicates, there was a noticeable
change in the grasshoppers' behavior and movement. This observable change continued until the end of
the observation period, leading to the results of this experiment, which are shown in Table 1.

Furthermore, there is a significant difference between treatments, meaning that any of the
treatments that were used in the given time interval of 24 hours showed results that varied, which proved
that the treatments used in the study were effective.

A similar study is the research "Effects of Azadirachtin on the Mortality Rate and Reproductive
System of the Grasshopper HeteracrisLittoralisRamb. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) (N. A. Ghazawi, E. D. El-
Shranoubi, M. M. El-Shazly, K. M. Abdel Rahman), which also examines the mortality rate of a type
of grasshopper. In Aklan and nearby provinces, gumamela flowers are more accessible than azadirachtin
since neem trees are not that abundant in the province. In terms of experimentation, the use of
azadirachtin requires checking the reproductive organs of the grasshoppers to determine if they were
harmed or impeded, whereas the use of gumamela in this study only focuses on the mortality rate. Thus, it
is simpler and easier to replicate; however, there will be more areas to enhance to obtain better findings.

Ultimately, gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) flowers, notably red and pink flowers, are known
to contain flavonoids (Magalong, A.L., 2007), which have insecticidal properties. Flavonoids are
phytochemicals that can kill or repel insects that are still in their metamorphosis stage. The rice
grasshoppers used in this study were all observed to be in this stage. With this, it would be plausible to
claim that the rice grasshoppers, being in this stage, are more susceptible and vulnerable to the flavonoids
contained in the gumamela extracts, making them more easily killed.

8
 CONCLUSION

Different concentrations of gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) extract was used in each
replicate. These different concentrations were observed to have varying effects on the mortality rate of
rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian). As shown in the results, there is a significant difference
between the 100% gumamela extract and the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian)
compared to those with lower concentration levels. Therefore, it is concluded that gumamela extract can
serve as an alternative to synthetic pesticides.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of this study, the following are recommended:

1. It is recommended to consider different insects that influence rice crops, such as rice caseworms
and rice bugs;
2. To seek other methods of obtaining pure gumamela extract without having to bring it to the
laboratory;
3. To consider the rice grasshopper’s stage in its life cycle prior to spraying the extract;
4. To properly label and arrange the nets that contain the insects according to the concentration that will
be sprayed on them;
5. To set a specific distance between the insects and the spray bottle when spraying the treatments;
6. To use nets to capture the insects; and
7. To hang the mesh nets while spraying the extract on the insects to avoid other factors, such as hot
ground temperatures, which may affect the life span of the grasshoppers.

9
 REFERENCES

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

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

Zaviezo T. (2013). Are naringenin and quercetin useful chemicals in pest-

managementstrategies?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925296/#:~:text=While%
20flavonoids%20can%20have%20insecticidal,(Simmonds%202001%2C%202003).

Magalong, A.L. (2007). Phytochemical contents and antimicrobial properties of floral extracts from
different gumamela cultivars. https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID-
PH2008000353#:~:text=Flavonoids%20were%20present%20only%20inin%20shoeflower%20and%20fri
nged%20gumamela

Paje, G.,& Ramirez R. (2021). Acid-Base Indicator Properties of Gumamela Petal Varieties.
https://cbsua.edu.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2021/07/7_ACRIJVolINo1_AcidBasePropertyIndicatorofGumamela.pdf

Hein, L. Gary & Campbell, B. John (2006). A Guide to Grasshopper Control in Cropland.
https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g1627/build/g1627.htm

Elsevier B.V. (2022). Flavonoids as biopesticides - Systematic assessment of sources, structures,

activities and environmental fate.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969722008737

10
Dakhel, H. Wahid, Jaronski, T. Stefan & Schell, Scott (2020). Control of Pest Grasshoppers in
North America. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7565557/#:~text-
Grasshoppers%20and%20beneficial%20arthropods%20such,through%20direct%20contact%200r%
20ingestion

Ramya Manjunath and Prabhakar Mishra (2023). Reference Module in Biomedical

Scienceshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/synthetic-pesticide

Ghazawi, N.A., El-Shranoubi, E.D., El-Shazly, M.M., & Rahman Abdel, K.M. (2007). Effects of
azadirachtin on mortality rate and reproductive system of the grasshopper HeteracrislittoralisRamb
(Orthoptera: Acrididae).
https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-orthoptera-research/volume-16/issue-
1/10826467_2007_16_57_EOAOMR_2.0.CO_2/Effects-of-azadirachtin-on-mortality-rate-and-
reproductive-system-of/10.1665/10826467(2007)16%5B57:EOAOMR%5D2.0.CO;2.full

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

Hieroglyphusbanian.https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/doi/10.1079/PWKB.20157800174

11
LOGBOOK
APPENDICES
Table 1. Shows the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) using the different
concentration levels of gumamela extract after 1 hour of observation

Different Concentration R1 R2 R3 Mean

Levels of Gumamela Extract

100% Hibiscus L. Extract 0 0 0 0

75% Hibiscus L. Extract 0 0 0 0
50% Hibiscus L. Extract 0 0 0 0
Positive Control (+) 5 5 5 5
Negative Control (-) 0 0 0 0

Table 2. Shows the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) using the different
concentration levels of gumamela extract after 3 hours of observation

Different Concentration R1 R2 R3 Mean

Levels of Gumamela Extract

100% Hibiscus L. Extract 1 2 2 1.67

75% Hibiscus L. Extract 1 1 1 1
50% Hibiscus L. Extract 0 0 0 0
Positive Control (+) 5 5 5 5
Negative Control (-) 0 0 0 0
Table 3. Shows the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) using the different
concentration levels of gumamela extract after 6 hours of observation

Different Concentration R1 R2 R3 Mean

Levels of Gumamela Extract

100% Hibiscus L. Extract 2 4 4 3.33

75% Hibiscus L. Extract 3 1 1 1.67
50% Hibiscus L. Extract 0 0 0 0
Positive Control (+) 5 5 5 5
Negative Control (-) 0 0 0 0

Table 4. Shows the mortality rate of rice grasshoppers (Hieroglyphus banian) using the different
concentration levels of gumamela extract after 12 hours of observation

Different Concentration R1 R2 R3 Mean

Levels of Gumamela Extract

100% Hibiscus L. Extract 3 5 4 4

75% Hibiscus L. Extract 3 2 2 2.33
50% Hibiscus L. Extract 0 1 0 0.33
Positive Control (+) 5 5 5 5
Negative Control (-) 0 0 0 0
EVALUATION
FORM