EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF NEEM

(Azadirachta indica A. Juss) SEEDS AGAINST

EGGPLANT FRUIT AND SHOOT BORER
(Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee)

FRANCES LAWRENCE C. DENOSTA

A THESIS PROPOSAL TO BE PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCES, WESTERN PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY, ABORLAN,
PALAWAN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE

November 2021
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most economically

important vegetable crops in the Philippines. It accounted for 106.66 thousand

metric tons during April to June 2021 period which was 2.1 percent higher than

the 104.44 thousand metric tons output of eggplant production in the same

quarter of 2020. In 2020, the value of eggplant produced in the Philippines

amounted to 6.04 billion Philippine pesos (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2021).

Like many crops eggplant is susceptible to damage by several insects and

diseases, which attack from seedling to fruiting. Among insect pests, the eggplant

fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) has caused the most

significant yield losses in the Philippines reportedly ranging from 20 percent to a

high of 92 percent. Fruit and shoot borer (FSB) damages eggplant both in the

early vegetative stage to whole fruiting stage. In the early vegetative stage, FSB

larvae feed within the pedicles and midribs of the leaves causing shoots to droop

and wither. At the fruiting stage, larvae bore into the fruit, rendering them

unmarketable and unfit for human consumption.

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) tree has been famous in agriculture,

industry, medicine, and the environment because of its numerous bioactive

ingredients such as triterpenoids and steroids, non-terpenoids, and non-steroidal

constituents which are known to have anticancer, fumigants for stored products,

medicinal, insecticidal and larvicidal properties (Paragas et al., 2021)

In this study, neem seeds will be processed in different formulations to

extract the insecticidal properties against eggplant fruit and shoot borer. The

different formulation will be applied in experiments against fruit and shoot borer.

Objective of the study:

1. To determine the effect of different formulations of neem seeds against

eggplant fruit and shoot borer;

2. To determine the most effective neem seed formulation.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will be conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 at Apis,

Apoc apoc, Aborlan, Palawan. This study will be limited to the effect of the

different formulations of neem on eggplant fruit and shoot borer.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In the Philippines, eggplant or talong is the number one vegetable in terms

of production area, with an average of 21,225 hectares planted every year. The top

five eggplant producing areas in the country are Ilocos, Central Luzon, Cagayan

Valley, CALABARZON, and the Bicol Region (ISAAA and SEARCA BIC, 2020).

Produced all year round in almost all parts of the country, eggplant

(Solanum melongena L.) is considered an economically important vegetable in

the Philippines. It is a good source of vitamins, fiber and minerals; potassium,

vitamin C, protein and other phytonutrients (Chupungco, 2011; Maghirang, 2001;

tan, 2007).

Eggplant production provides an important source of cash income,

particularly for small resource- poor farmers. The biggest constraint to eggplant

production throughout Asia is the chronic and widespread infestation by the

eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee (Hautea,

2016).

Eggplant farmers suffer significant yield losses at 51-73 % annually due to

the eggplant fruit and shoot borer. Female moths deposit eggs mostly on eggplant

leaves. When the eggs hatch and turn into larvae, they feed on leaf tissues and

tunnel inside shoots and fruits. (ISAAA, 2021) Fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes

orbonalis Guenee) is one of the most serious pests and crucial constraints of

successful eggplant production. It damages all life stages of eggplant thereby

shirking the production of the crop (Khanal et al., 2021; Gautan et al., 2019;

Kalawate and Dethe, 2012).

Fruit and shoot borer is the limiting factor for impairing both quantitative

and qualitative harvest of eggplant (Khanal et al., 2021; Rahman et al., 2019). In

order to get a high marketability, Farmers apply chemical pesticides up to 7-8

times in most eggplant growing countries, which is exceptionally high in some

Asian countries, like the Philippines and Bangladesh (Shukla et al., 2019).

Attention is increasingly being paid to the use of natural compounds (such

as essential oils) as a promising option to replace agrochemicals in agricultural

pest control. These odoriferous substances are extracted from various aromatic

plants, which are rich sources of biologically active secondary metabolites such as

alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids (Esmaeili and Asgari, 2015 ; Campos et al.,

2016), using extraction methods employing aqueous or organic solvents, or steam

distillation. Their mechanisms of action can vary, especially when the effect is

due to a combination of compounds (de Oliveira, 2011; Esmaeili and Asgari,

2015; Campos et al., 2016).

Seed of Neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Family Meiaceae) are rich

in extractable compounds like azadirachtin, a tetrano triterpenoid limonoids

known to have antifeedant and growth disruptive effect on more than 540 insect

species. Many studies reported its effective use in managing different insect

pests. Besides azadirachtin, the seeds contain more than a dozen of their analogs

or other triterpenoids notably nimbin, salannin and their derivatives. However,

these triterpenoids contribute little towards the efficacy of extracts. Their residual

activities last for 4-8 days, depending upon treated plant species and surrounding
environmental conditions; the efficacy lasts slightly longer if applied

systematically (Shah et al., 2017).

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Materials

Eggplant seeds

Plastic Mulch

Bamboo slats

Seedling tray with 100 0r 104 holes

Coconut coir dust

Rice straw

Carbonized rice hull

Compost

Garden soil

Water sprinkler

Shovel

Rake

Cutter

Chicken manure

16-20-0

21-0-0

0-0-60

Pruning shear

Meter stick
 Neem seed kernels

Muslin cloth

Weighing scale

Detergent

Blender or food processor

Mortar and pestle

Basin

Synthetic insecticide

Wooden Plank

Sifter

Sprayer

Whatman No. 42 filter paper

B. Methods

Soil and climatic requirements

The crop thrives best in sandy loam and clay loam textured soils with pH

value ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. The water requirement of the crop is 35 to 40

millimeter per week.

It is moderately sensitive to flooding and moisture sensitive during

flowering and fruit enlarging. Eggplant requires a temperature of 20o to 30oC

during seed germination, 24o to 32oC soil temperature and 21o to 30oC during

its growth duration.

Land preparation

Prepare the field as early as possible to give enough time for the weeds and

stubbles of previous crops to decompose. Plow and harrow 2 to 3 times

alternately at one week intervals. Plow at a depth of 15 to 20 cm. Harrow twice to

break the clods and level the field. A well-pulverized soil promotes good soil

aeration and enhances root formation.

Seedling tray method

Raising seedlings in a tray requires less seeds, promotes uniform growth of

superior seedlings, minimizes transplanting shock and lessens seedling mortality.

It also saves labor for thinning, weeding, watering, and pest management.

Prepare the sowing medium by mixing thoroughly one (1) part compost, one part

carbonized rice hull (CRH), and one part garden soil. Sterilize the garden soil by

roasting or drenching with boiling water before mixing with another medium.

Fill the holes of the tray with the medium and slightly compact it using

your palm. Use a seedling tray with 100 or 104 holes. The volume of medium in

each hole contains enough nutrients to sustain the seedling until transplanting.

The night before sowing, soak the required amount of seeds in clean water. Sow

immediately or air dry the seeds before sowing. Sow one seed per hole of the

seedling tray at a depth of 0.5 cm. Cover the seeds with fine soil. Sprinkle with

water.

Care of seedlings

Protect the seedlings from excessive sunlight and rain by providing a

temporary shade using available indigenous materials such as plastic, cogon,

talahib or coconut leaves. Construct the shade to 120 cm high on the east side and

about 60 cm high on the west side. Water the seedlings preferably in the morning

to minimize damping off. The amount of water to be applied should be just

enough to keep the soil moist. Over watering favors damping-off and production
of weak seedlings. Drench the seedlings with a starter solution of one tbsp urea

(45-0-0) or one tbsp of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) dissolved in four (4) liters of

water 10 days after emergence. Water the seedlings immediately after applying

fertilizer to prevent leaf injury.

One week before transplanting, harden the seedlings by gradually

exposing them to sunlight, and withholding water. For the first day, expose the

seedlings up to 10 o’clock in the morning and increase duration everyday until

the seedlings can withstand the heat of the sun the whole day. However, make

sure that the seedlings do not wilt severely. Gradually reduce the amount of water

and frequency of watering to enhance hardening of seedlings. Hardening is done

to prepare the seedlings to field conditions.

Construction of planting beds and furrows

When using plastic mulch, construct 1 m wide beds raised at 20 cm height.

Space the beds 0.5 m apart which serve as paths for manual watering and furrow

irrigation.

Mulching

Mulching controls weeds, preserves soil moisture, prevents soil erosion

and leaching of fertilizers, and reflects sunlight to repel insect pests hiding under

the leaves. Materials that can be used for mulching include coconut coir dust, rice

straw, rice hull, and plastic mulch. Apply the coconut coir dust, rice straw and

rice hull mulches after hilling up at 3 to 5 cm thick. The use of plastic mulch is an

improved technology in vegetable production. place the plastic mulch before

transplanting.

Placing the plastic mulch:

 Stretch the plastic mulch over the planting bed, with the silver color on

top. Fasten the edges of the plastic mulch to the soil with bamboo slats spaced 30

cm apart (6 to 8 cm long). If bamboo slats are not available, cover its edges with

soil using a shovel or rake, or by passing a moldboard plow near the edges.

Making the planting holes:

Measure 0.5 m planting distance 10 cm from the edge on both sides of the

plastic mulch and mark the spots.

Make the holes following any of these three ways:

Using a serrated – lipped tin can – Cut the lip of a 7 to 10 cm diameter tin

can with metal scissors to form 1-cm long saw-like edges. Push the can on the

marked planting spots of the plastic sheet, serrated side down.

Using a hot tin can – Punch small holes using a nail at the sides and

bottom of a 7 to 10 cm diameter tin can. Attach a wooden or bamboo handle. Fill

the can with burning charcoal. The holes ventilate the charcoal to keep it burning.

Push the tin can with the heated bottom on the marked planting spots of the

plastic sheets.

Using a cutter – Cut intersecting lines at 7-10 cm long to form “+” or “X” at

the marked planting spots. During transplanting, fold up the 4 flaps to form

square planting holes.

Transplanting

Eggplant is ready for transplanting 4 to 6 weeks from sowing. Pull

seedlings carefully. Do not remove soil adhering to the roots. Seedlings recover

easily, provided root damage during pulling is minimal. For the conventional
method of planting, at transplanting time make furrows at a distance of 100 cm

between rows for a single row. However most farmers prefer double row since it

provides developing fruits adequate protection against sun scalding. It also

facilitates farm operations.

Double row is spaced 50 cm between two adjacent rows and 150 cm

between double rows. For beds with plastic mulch, remove the soil and transplant

seedlings directly to the holes prepared on the plastic sheets. Transplant 30 to 35

day-old seedlings which should now have 3 to 4 true leaves. Transplant only one

seedling per hole per hill. Transplant during cloudy days or late in the afternoon

to avoid transplanting shock. Replant missing hills or wilted plants at 3 to 5 days

after transplanting (DAT). Water the newly transplanted seedlings immediately.

Fertilizer application

The quantity and kind of fertilizer to be applied depend on the soil fertility

and on the previous cropping patterns based on the result of the soil analysis. In

the absence of soil analysis, use the following recommended rates.

Basal application with plastic mulch.

Apply the following fertilizers on both sides of the bed every 10 linear

meters of the planting row:

0.5 kg Process Chicken Manure or any commercial organic fertilizer

0.4 kg ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)

0.4 kg ammonium sulfate (21-0-0)

0.1 kg muriate of potash (0-0-60)

Cover the fertilizers with soil, or mix them thoroughly with the soil.
Care and Maintenance

Irrigation

For beds with plastic mulch, flood the beds two days before transplanting

to cool down the soil under the plastic mulch and dissolve the fertilizers applied.

The mulched eggplant requires less irrigation water. During the wet season,

irrigate as the need arises. Irrigate after every fertilizer application.

Pruning

Pruning is necessary for plant growth and fruit development. Remove

lateral branches below the split except the branch nearest to the split (X branch).

This allows the air to move freely on the base of the plants and minimize

occurrence of fungus and bacterial diseases. Pruning unnecessary leaves also

reduces competition in nutrient absorption.

Treatments

The experiment will have a five treatment group with four replications of

ten test plants per treatment. The five treatments are treatment 1 the control

treatment with no neem seed formulation and synthetic insecticide application,

treatment 2 with neem seed kernel extract formulation application, treatment 3

with neem seed oil formulation application, treatment 4 with fermented neem

seed formulation application and treatment 5 with synthetic insecticide

application.

Preparation of neem seed formula

Neem seed kernel extract

For the preparation of 20 liters of 5% NSKE solution, the following

materials are required; 1 kilo of Neem seed kernels must be well dried, 20 liters of
water, 40 grams of detergent and muslin cloth for filtering. Take the required

quantity of Neem seed kernel. Grind the kernels gently to powder it. Soak it

overnight in 2 liters of water. Stir with wooden plank in the morning till the

solution becomes milky white. Filter through a double layer of muslin cloth and

make the volume to 20 liters. Add detergent and mix the spray solution well and

use.

Neem seed oil

Various methods are employed for extracting the oil from the neem seeds.

These range from simple to complex techniques depending on the resources

available. Once the neem seeds are matured, they can be easily collected from the

trees. The ripe seeds that will be collected are cleaned to remove the skin. The

seeds will be dried by spreading them out in the sun. The drying will reduce their

moisture content and make their decortication much easier. Once completely

dried, the seeds will be shelled by pounding to get clean kernels. The pounded

mass will be subjected to winnowing to separate the seeds from the shells. The

cleaned kernels will be grinded to obtain a fine mesh. The grinded pulp will be

sieved using a very fine-sized sieve to obtain a fine greenish brown powder. The

neem powder will be steamed by placing it over boiling water for about 15-20

minutes. The exercise will allow the formation of dough from which oil can be

readily extracted. Upon the formation of dough, the hot material will be enclosed

in a fine cloth or empty bag capable of allowing liquid passage. Place the dough

over a clean basin and squeeze until the oil will be extracted. One can get 100-150

ml of neem oil from 1 kilogram of neem seed.

Fermented neem seed

The mature seeds of neem will be detached from the fruit and washed

thoroughly with tap water. The clean seeds will be air dried for 3-5 days in the

shade during the summer season. Drying for more than 5 days is not advisable,

since molds will grow during this period. The dried seeds will be grounded in a

blender and stored in a tightly covered container until further use. Hot infusion

will be done by adding 15 g of previously weighed ground seeds into 150 mL of

boiling solvent. The mixture will be set aside for 15 minutes. The extract will be

then filtered using Whatman No. 42 filter paper, and the filtrate was placed in an

amber bottle and stored in the refrigerator until it will be used for analysis. The

fermentation method will be carried out by soaking 15 g of the plant material in

150 mL of the solvent. The container was wrapped with aluminum foil and stored

inside a locker. The mixture will be set aside for 5 days, after which the mixture

will be filtered, and the filtrate will be placed in an amber bottle and stored in the

refrigerator until it will be used for analysis.

Application of treatment

The formulation will be mixed to tap water at a given rate as cited in

treatments. The extracts will be sprayed weekly upon transplanting and during

the flowering and fruiting stage.

Harvesting

Fruits will be harvested until they attain the marketable size and before

they harden or show streaks of unusual color. Harvesting will be done two times a

week for a month. Use pruning shear in harvesting to avoid damaging the plants.
Design of the experiment

This study will use Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There

will be five treatments with four replications. Ten plants per plot will serve as

samples.

Experimental layout

R1 R2 R3 R4

T3 T5 T4 T2

T5 T3 T1 T5

T4 T1 T3 T1

T1 T2 T5 T4

T2 T4 T2 T3

Data to be gathered

The following will be the data to be gathered:

1. Average number of shoots infested with shoot borers.

This will be determined by counting the number of infested shoots per

plant during the vegetative and fruiting stages.

2. Average number of live fruit borer per fruit/plant.

The number of live fruit borers will be determined by dissecting the

eggplant fruits using a sharp knife.

3. Average number of dead fruit borers per fruit/plant.

 The number of dead fruit borers will be determined by dissecting the

eggplant fruits, counting and recording the number of dead fruit borers.

4. Average number of marketable fruits.

The number of marketable fruits will be based on the number of

undamaged or uninfested fruits after dissecting the fruits with a sharp knife.

5. Average number of non-marketable fruits.

The number of non-marketable fruits will be based on the number of

damaged or infested fruits after dissecting the fruits with a sharp knife.

6. Average weight of marketable fruits (Kg).

The identified marketable fruits will be weighed according to treatments

using a weighing balance.

7. Average weight of non-marketable fruits (Kg).

The identified non-marketable fruits will be weighed according to

treatments using a weighing balance.

8. Computed yield per hectare.

The computed yield per hectare will be taken using the formula:

Computed Yield = 10,000 sq. m. x Yield/plot (kg)

Plot area (sq. m.) 1000 kg/ton

Data Analysis

Data will be analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Duncan’s

Multiple Range Test (DMRT) will be used to test the differences between

treatment means.
 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. Average number of shoots infested with shoot borers.

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 2. Average number of live fruit borer per fruit/plant.

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 3. Average number of dead fruit borers per fruit/plant.

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 4. Average number of marketable fruits.

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 5. Average number of non-marketable fruits.

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 6. Average weight of marketable fruits (Kg).

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 7. Average weight of non-marketable fruits (Kg).

Treatment Blocks Treatment Treatment

I II III IV Totals Means
T1 (Control no spray)
T2 (Neem seed kernel
extract)
T3 (Neem seed oil)
T4 (Fermented neem
seed)
T5 (Synthetic
insecticide)
Block Total
Block Mean

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Source of Degree of Sum Mean Computed Tabular F

Variation Freedom Squares Squares F-value 5% 1%

Block

Treatment

Error

Total
Table 7. Computed yield per hectare.

Computed Yield
Plot Yield (kg)
Treatment (tons/ha)
Marketabl Non- Non-
Marketable
e Marketable Marketable
T1 (Control no spray)

T2 (Neem seed kernel

extract)

T3 (Neem seed oil)

T4 (Fermented neem

seed)

T5 (Synthetic

insecticides)