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More severe infestations in coconut trees happened before in the country but the industry
survives. Years ago, cadang-cadang infested trees were 30 million more or less or 10% of the
coconut trees in the country. By 2012, it was below 1 million. The scale infestation of Coco-
lisap in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon can hardly affect the production
of coconuts in the country, as only .05% of the 340 million coconut trees in the country are
affected.
As of June 17, 2013, about 931,139 coconut trees were infested of which 903,977 or
97.08% are pruned, 257,996 are sprayed and 257,943 are fertilized by the Philippine Coconut
Authority (PCA) with the assistance of LGUs. Trees are pruned first before they are sprayed
with water containing cochin oil and dishwashing solution and/or fertilized.
Silica is non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive and stable with ordinary usage. It
will react with hydrogen fluoride, fluorine, oxygen difluoride, chlorine trifluoride, strong acids,
strong bases, and oxidizers. Silica is irritating to the respiratory tract and may cause irritation of
the digestive tract, and dust from the beads may cause irritation to the skin and eyes, so
precautions should be taken. Crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis but synthetic amorphous
silica is indurated, and so does not because silicosis.Silicon dioxide is diatomaceous earth, a
mites and ticks in a variety of indoor and outdoor sites. Silicon dioxide dust is applied with a
hand-held or power duster to stored grain, other food, feed and ornamentals; in food handling
areas; and on pets and their living/sleeping quarters. Silica dust or pressurized liquid is applied
by hand-held power duster, aerosol can or injection into cracks and crevices. Silica is used to
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control target pests in stored grain crops, food handling areas, hospitals, sewage systems, and on
The researchers conducted the study Silica as a Coco-lisap Exterminator for the
prevention of the growing infestation of Coco-lisap mostly in the CALABARZON Region. Scale
infestation of coco-lisap in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon can hardly
affect the production of coconuts in the country. According to some researches the coco-lisap
does not directly destroys the fruit of the coconut tree, thus it is just needed to be removed as
early as possible from the tree. The problems that prevent total eradication are the lack of
powerful sprayers for tall trees and the lack of manpower to repeat the spraying at least once
One of the most important uses of silica is as pesticides or insecticides. silica is used as
one of the ingredients for pest control or pesticides. Silicon dioxide and silica were first
registered as pesticides in 1960an d 1956, respectively. Currently, there are registered pesticide
products that contain silicon dioxide and also silica, usually in combination with other active
ingredients. Silicon dioxide and silica are insecticides and acaracides, used in pests control
inside or outside different buildings or premises. Silicon dioxide dust is applied with a hand-held
or power duster to stored grain, other food, feed and ornamentals; in food handling areas; and on
petsand their living/sleeping quarters. Silica dust or pressurized liquid isapplied by hand-held
power duster, aerosol can or injection into cracks andcrevices. Silica is used to control target
pests in stored grain crops, food handling areas, hospitals, sewage systems, and on animals/pets
and their living quarters. As an insecticide or pesticide it will help the producers, the farmers and
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the consumers of coconut. As for the farmers they will not able to harvest the fruit that has been
infested and the production will be directly affected. And for the producers, the trees being
infested with coco-lisap and being destroyed by the pest the production will be affected cause the
product will not be delivered or maybe will be lessen because of the growing infestation of the
cocolisap. Silica as a coco-lisap exterminator will help them to prevent the infestation or maybe
to have a total loss of infestation of coco-lisap on the coconut trees that has been infested with
Coco-lisap that destroys the fruit or the whole tree that is affecting the whole production of
Definition of terms
Coco-lisap - death of the coconut trees is the final goal of these pests, leaving a single coconut
Coconut tree- widely known as multi-purpose palm, Coconut (Cocos nucifera) sure gave a
thousand Filipino families a great source of livelihood. Significant number of coconut farms are
Infestation - the state of being invaded or overrun by pests or parasites.It can also refer to the
Insecticides- any toxic substance that is used to kill insects. Such substances are used primarily
to control pests that infest cultivated plants or to eliminate disease-carrying insects in specific
areas.
Pesticides- a pesticide is any substance used to kill, repel, or control certain forms of plant or
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Silicon Oxide - also known as Silica a white or colorless vitreous insoluble solid (SiO2); various
forms occur widely in the earth's crust as quartz or cristobalite or tridymite or lechatelierite.
This research study focuses on the silica as the main ingredient for the coco-lisap
is an amorphous form of silicon dioxide. Both employ a physical mode of action to control
insects. They are abrasive and act as desiccants, removing the oily, protective film that covers
insects' bodies, causing them to dry out and die. The researchers did the study to create a more
effective and affordable coco-lisap killer than the one that we have at present that can have an
affect instantly on the pests especially on coco-lisap so it wont spread on other trees.
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Review of related literature
Silicon Dioxide
Silicon dioxide, also known as silica (from the Latin silex), is a chemical compound that
is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO2. It has been known since ancient times.
Silica is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms
(frustule).Silica is manufactured in several forms including fused quartz, crystal, fumed silica (or
pyrogenic silica), colloidal silica, silica, and aerogel. Silica is used primarily in the production of
glass for windows, drinking glasses, beverage bottles, and many other uses. The majority of
optical fibers for telecommunications are also made from silica. It is a primary raw material for
flow agent in powdered foods, or to absorb water in hygroscopic applications. It is the primary
component of diatomaceous earth, which has many uses ranging from filtration to insect control.
It is also the primary component of rice husk ash, which is used, for example, in filtration and
cement manufacturing.
Under exposure to oxygen, a silicon surface oxidizes to form silicon dioxide (SiO2).
Native silicon dioxide is a high-quality electrical insulator and can be used as a barrier material
such as multichip modules. The ability to form a native oxide was one of the primary processing
considerations which led to silicon becoming the dominant semiconductor material used in
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Silicon dioxide is found in higher amounts in plant-based foods. The SiO2 content is
remarkably high in cereals. On the other hand, the concentration of SiO2 is comparatively less in
foods that are derived from animal sources. Silicon (element) is found naturally in foods in the
form of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Silicon is never present in its original or free form, and always
Silicon is an indispensable part of the food that we eat daily. It is observed that silicon
plays a significant role in the development of the bones, so it becomes necessary to include
silicon food sources in our diet. In order to maintain healthy strong bones and joints, silicon
dioxide in foods is very much essential. Along with calcium and vitamins, silicon dioxide is
equally important for proper bone growth, strength and density. Deficiency of silicon can cause
osteoarthritis and arthritis. Another important health benefit of silicon is that it minimizes
aluminum effects on the body, thereby preventing Alzheimers disease. Some of the foods that
Cement: One of the important uses of silica is in the manufacture of Portland cement.
This type of cement is commonly used around the world. Portland cement is basically a fine
Drinking Water: Silicon dioxide also occurs in drinking water in the form of silicic acid.
Although water purification techniques have been developed to extract silicon from the water,
they are not yet implemented considering the numerous health benefits of silicon. Surprisingly,
silicon dioxide levels vary depending on the type of water. It has been found that soft water is a
Coco-lisap
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The scale infestation in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon can hardly affect
the production of coconuts in the country, as only .05% of the 340 million coconut trees in the country are
affected.
As of June 17, 2013, 931,139 coconut trees were infested of which 903,977 or 97.08% are
pruned, 257,996 are sprayed and 257,943 are fertilized by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) with
the assistance of Local Government Units. Trees are pruned first before they are sprayed with water
The problems that prevent total eradication are the lack of powerful sprayers for tall trees and the
lack of manpower to repeat the spraying at least once every month for three months.
Nevertheless, the PCA is about to launch its SAGIP program in all these areas wherein there shall
be massive and simultaneous spraying and fertilization of all the areas infested. At present, massive
spraying in Malvar and Lemery is on-going. The official launch of this SAGIP program will be on first
week of July. The PCA will acquire more sprayers from the present 28 to 200 and is strengthening its
stock of cochin oil and dishwashing solutions before it start its massive program this first week of July.
30 PCA personnel are presently involved in this campaign and will be supported by trained
sprayer operators from the Barangays infested. The operators will be paid as part of PCAs cash for work
program
In support to the campaign, the Municipality of Lemery, Batangas provided another 15 sprayers
for each of its barangay. The Director of the Department of Agriculture, Region IV-A has also provided
In addition, 45,000 of coconut dwarf seednuts were already delivered to Bgy. Bilucao, Malvar
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PCA will also establish more mass production laboratories in addition to the two labs, one in
Regional Crop Protection Center and one in the Bureau of Plant Industry compound to enhance bio-
control.
The PCA also plans to establish private rearing centers of predators to achieve the target of
The PCAs budget for this enhanced programs is P41 million. PCARRD-DOST also provided
P4,645,000.00 for research and mapping of infestation to forecast where it would spread.
Severe infestations in coconut trees happened before in the country but the industry survives.
Years ago, cadang-cadang infested trees were 30 million more or less or 10% of the coconut trees in the
Coconut trees
Coconut trees are palms that grow up to 30 metres high. Known as the 'tree of life'
because of their huge variety of uses, they grow throughout the tropics. The coconut palm (also,
cocoanut), Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae (palm family). It is the only
accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the
seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not a nut. The spelling cocoanut is an archaic
form of the word. The term is derived from 16th-century Portuguese and Spanish coco, meaning
"head" or "skull", from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial
features.
Found throughout the tropic and subtropic area, the coconut is known for its great
versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts.
Coconuts are part of the daily diets of many people. Coconuts are different from any other fruits
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because they contain a large quantity of "water" and when immature they are known as tender-
nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature, they still contain some water
and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell
and coir from the fibrous husk. The endosperm is initially in its nuclear phase suspended within
the coconut water. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the
walls of the coconut, becoming the edible coconut "flesh".When dried, the coconut flesh is called
copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is
also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing
drink. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing
and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.
Some people believe that this coconut palm is the symbol of romance in the
tropics.People associate the coconut palm with relaxation and shade looking out over the sea to
the horizon similiar tall trees grow to be 50-80 feet. There are many varieties of coconut trees.
The smallest is called the Dwarf palm. They all have a tall graceful trunks topped by a crown
light feathery leaves that are 15-17 feet long. The leaves are a yellow greenish color. The trucks
The coconut grows in rainforests and other tropical of climates. The coconut fruit has a
hard outside and white meat beneath with a hollow center in which there is coconut milk.
After the clusters of flowers bloom they develop into coconuts. It may take a year or so
for the coconut tree to mature. One tree can produce 50 nuts. Men harvest the coconuts
by climbing the tree and cutting down the bunch of coconuts. The coconut palm tree
grows in hot areas. It likes frost free areas, and grows in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and
the Pacific region. The tree grows near seas in these areas so the roots can find moisture.
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In the United States it is found only in Hawaii, the Southern tip of Florida, Puerto Rico,
and the Virgin Islands. Coconuts have supplied some families from the Pacific with
shelter, food, drinks, and many of their other needs. The roots supplies' a dye and the
trunks are used to stabilize buildings. The hard outside is cut into slices of wood called
Porcupine wood. The white meat of the coconut is eaten. They get coconut cream by
sifting the white meat till it turns soft and creamy. They use the liquid for a nice
refreshing drink. The sap from unopened clusters of flowers is used to make sugar,
vinegar, and the alcoholic beverage called arrack. Mats, baskets, and hats are all made out
of the leaves, midrib, and Coir. Coir is the fiber from the husk. To make matting they
Pesticides
Pesticides are substances meant for preventing, destroying or mitigating any pest. They
are a class of biocide. The most common use of pesticides is as plant protection products (also
known as crop protection products), which in general protect plants from damaging influences
such as weeds, diseases or insects. This use of pesticides is so common that the term pesticide is
often treated as synonymous with plant protection product, although it is in fact a broader term,
antimicrobial or disinfectant) that through its effect deters, incapacitates, kills or otherwise
discourages pests. Target pests can include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds,
mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms), and microbes that destroy property, cause nuisance,
spread disease or are vectors for disease. Although there are benefits to the use of pesticides,
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some also have drawbacks, such as potential toxicity to humans and other animals. According to
the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 9 of the 12 most dangerous and
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Materials and Methods
The researchers will create a coco-lisap exterminator using silica as the main ingredient
of the coco-lisap killer. The Silica as coco-lisap exterminator will be compared to those
pesticides that are used at present. And it will be also compared to those alternative products that
The materials needed in creating coco-lisap killer are water, Bunsen burner, mortar and
pestle, and silica beads. The production of the product involves several steps including the
melting of the main ingredient that is silica in the water. It will be melted using the Bunsen
burner. And after being melted it will be put in a small container or water sprayer. And after that
it will be tested on the coco-lisap. The researchers have 4 sets during the experiment that varies
on how much silica will be used. The amount of silica will be varied so the researchers will
know what set will have a great effect on the pest. The researcher has 4 sets during the
experiment. The first set or the set A will have about one pack of the silica beads and will be
melted in the water that is about 200 milliliters. The second set or the set B will be having about
2 packs of silica beads and will be melted in the water that is about 200 milliliters. The set c will
have about 3 packs of silica beads and will be melted on water that is about 200 milliliters. And
the last that is set D will have the most amount of silica bead that is about 4 packs and will also
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Materials and Methods
First, the researcher gathered all the materials needed in the experiment like mortar and pestle,
Second, powderized the silica beads by pounding it using mortar and pestle.
Third, liquidized 1 pack of silica with 200 ml of water by heating it using the Bunsen burner and
put it on a container.
Fourth, liquidized 2 packs of silica with 200 ml of water by heating it on a Bunsen burner and
Then, liquidized 3 packs of silica with 200 ml of water by heating it on a Bunsen burner and put
it on another container.
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Lastly, liquidized 4 packs of silica with 200 ml of water by heating it on a Bunsen burner and put
it on another container.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 4.1
No of Samples 0 0 0 0
being affected
Minutes 15 15 15 15
In set-up A there are 5 samples every trial. Set-up A is composed of one pack of silica gel beads that is
mixed or liquefied with 200 ml of water. In the first trial, one spray is done and it has no effect on the
samples for the 15 minutes that it has been observed. It is done again on the 2nd trial there are 2 sprays that
has been done and still no effect on the samples. In the thirds trial 3 sprays has been done and still no
effect on the sample. And lastly the fourth trial 4 sprays have been done and still no effect on the sample.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 4.2
No of Samples 0 0 0 0
being affected
Minutes 15 15 15 15
In set-up B there are 5 samples every trial. Set-up B is composed of two packs of silica gel beads that is
mixed or liquefied with 200 ml of water. In the first trial, one spray is done and it has no effect on the
samples for the 15 minutes that it has been observed. It is done again on the 2nd trial there are 2 sprays that
has been done and still no effect on the samples. In the thirds trial 3 sprays has been done and still no
effect on the sample. And lastly the fourth trial 4 sprays have been done and still no effect on the sample.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 4.3
No of Samples 0 0 1 2
being affected
Minutes 15 15 13 15
In set-up C there are 5 samples every trial. Set-up C is composed of three packs of silica gel beads that is
mixed or liquefied with 200 ml of water. In the first trial, one spray is done and it has no effect on the
samples for the 15 minutes that it has been observed. It is done again on the 2nd trial there are 2 sprays that
has been done and still no effect on the samples. In the thirds trial 3 sprays has been done and still one of
the samples is affected or killed during the 15 minutes of observations. And lastly the fourth trial 4 sprays
have been done and two of the samples are affected during the 15 minutes that it has been observed.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 4.2
No of Samples 3 3 4 5
being affected
Minutes 15 12 13 13
In set-up D there are 5 samples every trial. Set-up D is composed of four packs of silica gel beads that is
mixed or liquefied with 200 ml of water. In the first trial, one spray is done and three of the samples are
affected for 15 minutes. It is done again on the 2nd trial there are 2 sprays that has been done and still 3
samples are affected for just 12 minutes. In the thirds trial 3 sprays has been done and 4 of the samples are
affected within 13 minutes of the 15 minutes that it has been observed. And lastly the fourth trial 4 sprays
have been done and 5 of the samples are affected during within the 13 minutes of 15 minutes that it has
been observed.
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Conclusion and Recommendation
The researcher proved the study entitled Silica as a Coco-lisap exterminator. The researchers
have three experimental set-ups A, B C and D to test how does varied amount of silica affect the Coco-
lisap in terms of how many minutes or for how long it takes to and how many samples has been affected
interms of no.Set-up D contains 4 packs of silica gel found being the most effective among the set-ups .
Set-up D shows to have an effect on the coco-lisap faster and more effective on the samples. It also
The researchers recommend silica as a coco-lisap exterminator. It is affordable than those that is
on market or the commercial ones and proved to be more effective specifically has fast effect on the coco-
lisap faster. Though using silica as a coco-lisap killer would irritate the skin, eyes , and lungs. The
researchers suggest having precautionary measures before using it or before producing one of these.
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References
Coco-lisap. (Aug. 30, 2007). Government of the Philippines, Retrieved Aug. 10, 2013,
industry/
Farming: Coco-lisap (2004-2012). Luntian Corner, Retrieved Aug. 18, 2013, from
http://www.luntiancorner.com/farming/coco-lisap-attacks-coconut-farms-calabarzon/
Coco-lisap. (Aug. 30, 2007). Global Brittanica, Retrieved Aug. 16, 2013,
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from http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/289077/insecticide
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