Marigold Extract as Insect Repellant of Bok Choy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Farmers commonly plant Bok Choy not just because it is easy to grow, and not because it is one of the demands in markets, but it is often chosen by many farmers because Bok Choy can be planted all year round. Though there is a season for its good harvest, you can still grow it if you take good care of it. But even though with the fertilizers and water that keep the plants alive, insects still come to destroy them. That's why many experts in the field of agriculture invented pesticides,but it does not just kill insects but also us, farmers, and the consumers as well. That's why in this study, we found the alternative way to avoid insects in our Bok Choy, not by killing them but to repel them.

METHODS

Using the Descriptive Experimental approach, we conducted this study in a Farm on Palangue 2, Naic, Cavite. Having 80 Samples, we planted 20 Bok Choy per plot, which means we have 4 plots total. Our main solution is the Pure Marigold Extract and we have three treatment solutions including the Pure Marigold Extract. The first plot is for the Pure Marigold Extract treatment, the second plot is for the Pure Marigold Extract with Coconut Vinegar treatment, third plot is for the Pure Marigold Extract with the water irrigation's water treatment, and the fourth plot is for the Controlled. We observed for about 9 days to know which plot will contain the least or more insect visits.

RESULTS

It took 9 days of observation, as we expected, for insects come to the Bok Choy. The first plot that was treated with the Pure Marigold Extract got 3 insects on 3 different days. The second plot that was treated with the Pure Marigold Extract with Coconut Vinegar got the same number of insects but got 2 insects on the 8th day of observation. However the third plot,treated with Pure Marigold Extract with water from the water irrigation, got 18 insects total, 16 insects on the 6th day of observation, and 2 on the 9th day.

DISCUSSIONS

We determined the most effective treatment through the less number of insect encounter, since our goal is to repel insects. Then we determined the less effective treatment through which treatment got the high number of insect encounter. Pure Marigold Extract and Pure Marigold Extract with Coconut Vinegar are the most effective for havinga mean of 0.33 which is being interpreted as 1 insect per day. The treatment Pure Marigold with water from the water irrigation, this treatment solution is less effective compare to the two treatment solution having a mean of 2.1, which is interpreted as2 insects per day.