A TEAM of researchers from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, has found six plants possessing botanical pesticide or biopesticide properties, which can be an alternative to commercial pesticides.
Botanical pesticide or biopesticide is a substance derived from plants capable of protecting selected crops against certain diseases and pests.
The researchers used plants they collected in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bataan and Aurora in Central Luzon.
Plant samples were collected from the forests in identified sites. These samples were screened to determine whether they have potential as biopesticide and later on processed into liquid biopesticide.
Dr. Ronaldo Alberto, the project’s focal person, said the biopesticides extracted can be applied to crops as a preventive or curative measure. However, the preventive approach is more effective based on their microplot trials on selected crops, like tomato, pepper, bitter gourd and onion.
The Philippine Council of Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), said the screening of indigenous plants as sources of biopesticides for vegetables, such as lettuce, cabbage, tomato and sugarcane, is currently being done in Region 10.
“So far, 11 plant species with pesticidal properties have been collected and are undergoing tests to find out which can be used as biopesticides,” PCAARRD said.
Meanwhile, the researchers said the biopesticides need to be further studied, field tested and patented prior to their promotion to the farmers.
The biopesticides were developed under PCAARRD’s Biodiversity Industry Strategic Science and Technology Program.
It hopes to address the challenges in biodiversity through the assessment and conservation of critical biological diversity for ecosystem services and development of biodiversity-based products, such as biopesticides, nutraceuticals, food and novel products.
PCAARRD will showcase these biopesticides, along with other research and development initiatives in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sectors during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration on July 25 to 29 at the council’s complex in Laguna.
The NSTW is celebrated every third week of July each year. It aims to recognize the contribution of science and technology in the development of the country and gather support from the public and private institutions for its sustainable development.
With this year’s theme, “Juan Science, One Nation,” the NSTW would be celebrated simultaneously in all DOST regional offices, apart from the four major science hubs in Manila; Taguig City; Quezon City; and Los Baños, Laguna.