Talumpunay (Datura metel) Seeds as Fumigant in Eliminating Maggots among Eggplant (Solanum melonsena)

Authors

  • Gwyneth Pareja

Keywords:

Talumpunay seeds, Eggplant, fumigant

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Philippines is one of the world's "mega biodiversity" countries, rich both in fauna and flora. Batangas, a province in CALABARZON ranks second in having the most number of agricultural farms in the region as stated by Philippines Statistics Authority last 2016. Agriculture is the main economic activity of Batangueno's. High agricultural production in Batangas was recorded in crops including eggplant. One of the problems usually encountered by eggplant growers is the poor harvest of their product due to infestation of worms or commonly known as maggots in the vegetable in their farm. To help plant growers solve this threatening problem in farming, the researcher proposed a product that made use of the seeds of Talumpunay (Datura metel) in producing an effective deworming organic solution in eliminating the maggots causing fruit rot in eggplants.

METHODS

The purpose of this project was to determine the effects of talumpunay seeds as a fumigant in eliminating maggots among eggplants. Matured talumpunay fruits were collected. Seeds were extracted and air dried for 1 week. Stone was heated. Talumpunayseeds were placed on the top of the heated stone and 2 drops of oil were added. The set-up was enclosed in a glass type funnel and eggplant infested with worms were put directly in the fumes. The researcher made 3 set-ups for the experiment wherein the stone was heated for 30 mins, 1 hour and 2 hours. The researcher also made 2 treatments in this study. The 1st was treated without talumpunay seeds while the 2nd was with talumpunay seeds.

RESULTS

The result of the study showed that the talampunay seeds as fumigant eliminated the maggots in the eggplant. The time the stone was heated showed different effects on the maggots fumigated with talampunay seeds. The longer the stone was heated, the more effective the fumigant is in eliminating the maggots in the eggplant.

DISCUSSIONS

The researcher wished to recommend testing the varying amount of Talumpunay seeds as controlled variables in their study. The researcher also recommends testing Talumpunay seeds as a fumigant in eliminating other pests aside from maggots in different crops.

Published

2019-01-18