INTRODUCTION:

Kakawate leaves are also known as Gliricidia sepium, Mata Ratn, Cacao de nance and Cachanance
Madreado. Capinpin et al. (1999) reported that name "gliricidia" derives from the Lain 'glis' (dormouse)
and caedere (to kill). The Spanish name "mata-raton" refers to the tree's rodenticial properties. As the tree
pods hang-dry in the sun, they curl and explode, making a popping cracking sound. A cluster of trees with their
pods snapping and popping and falling to the ground, in unison, make a fascinating afternoon of nature's
concoction of sound. The tree is common in the southern Tagalog areas, shedding leaves around December
and flowering February and March. In some areas, the blooming of its pink flowers is so profuse to deserve a
comparison with the cherry blossoms.
Batish and Daisy (2007) told that Gliricidia sepium is a medium-sized tree and can grow to from 10 to
12 meters high. The bark is smooth and its color can range from a whitish gray to deep red-brown. It has
composite leaves that can be 30 cm long. Each leaf is composed of leaflets that are about 2 to 7 cm long and 1
to 3 cm wide. The flowers are located on the end of branches that have no leaves. These flowers have a bright
pink to lilac color that is tinged with white. A pale yellow spot is usually at the flower's base. The tree's fruit is
a pod which is about 10 to 15 cm in length. It is green when unripe and becomes yellow-brown when it
reaches maturity. The pod produces 4 to 10 round brown seeds. The tree grows well in acidic soils with a pH of
4.5-6.2. The tree is found on volcanic soils in its native range in Central America and Mexico. However, it can
also grow on sandy, clay and limestone soils.
Gliricidia Sepium is known as Madre de Cacao or Kakawate. Madre de Cacao is common here in the
Philippines. This plant has a great benefits in treatment on the skin and also it is use for antimicrobial. This
plant is a natural insect repellant. It is toxic to humans when it mixed with rice or maize (also known as corn )
which is use as rat killer. The researchers choose this kind of plant is because it has a capability to kill parasitic
mites which may help to the animals who are now experiencing skin disease like mange (skin disease of a dog
and cats). If this diseases are continuing to be further this may transfer to humans that may experience skin
disease which is called scabies. The group of researchers has a goal to determine if this plant can use as
treatment for the dogs that are experiencing mange. Rissecha (2012) stated.
Tatandena et al. (2010) said that, To most farmers, commercial insecticides and pesticides are the most
effective and readily available pest controls. What they dont realize is these cost them added expenses not to
mention the bad effects of these chemicals to health and environment. Dr. Alfredo R. Rabena, head of the
Research and Development Office of the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, has
discovered a solution. He found that the leaf of kakawate tree or Mexican Lilac (Gliricidia sepium) contains
coumarins, an effective botanopesticide.
METHODOLOGY:
The materials needed by the students were the kakawate leaves, mortar and pestle, strainer, water and
sprayer. The students found the leaves in Batangas City then prepared the materials needed. The students
removed the leaves from the stem then gathered the leaves and put it in a mortar and pestle and pounded the
leaves. The students made sure that the leaves were really pounded into very small pieces.
The students put the pounded leaves in water and soaked it overnight. The students placed the soaked
pounded leaves in a container with a cover. The next day, after soaking the leaves, the students filtered the
leaves from the water and threw the leaves. The separated water was placed in a sprayer and then the
students sprayed the pesticide to the worms and tried if it would work or not.
RESULT:
Tacio (2009) stated that, The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that
kakawate leaves contain coumarin, which can be converted into an anticoagulant "discoumerol" found to be
an efficient rat killer. Anticoagulants are an efficient natural method of pest control because they reduce the
protein prothrombin, a clotting agent secreted in the liver, and eventually cause death from internal
bleeding, the FAO noted.
Our group doubt on our finished product kakawate pesticide, because its our first time to try that
thats why we are not sure if its going to work or not. But when we tried it, we were shocked because its
successful. When we sprayed the pesticide into the worms, it doesnt immediately die. Thats why we
expected that it wouldnt effect. It takes time/ minutes before it died. But the result is successful.
DISCUSSION:
Tarcio (2009) told that, Tests have shown that while the toxin produced by kakawate does not act
rapidly, repeated doses lead to fatal hemorrhaging within a few days. Unlike many other poisons,
anticoagulants do not produce bait shyness, which rodents tend to acquire as soon as the first victims of other
poisons are taken, the FAO said.
The kakawate pesticide doesnt kill the worms rapidly because according to our research it contains
anticoagulants which are a class of drugs that work to prevent the clotting of blood. There are lots of test
proven by some professionals that kakawate leaves are very effective pesticides. Many farmers also uses
kakawate leaves because its natural and it wouldnt harm the plants.
Gliricidia Sepium or kakawate leaves means dormouse and to kill because it contains some things that
can kill pests. It is successful because it contains coumarin or the efficient rat killer. That coumarin, helps to kill
the pests because of the internal bleeding, thats why kakawate leaves are very effective pesticides.
CONCLUSION:
Kakawate is a medium-sized tree and common in the Philippines. It means dormouse and to kill. It is
very beneficial for the people; it can be pesticide, insecticide, medicine and many more. Most of the farmers
use the kakawate as a pesticide and also it can kill rats. It can also kill parasitic mites which really helps the
animals. But kakawate leaves may harm humans especially when it is mixed with rice. Thats why kakawate
leaves is beneficial for the people and at the same time for the society.


The result is successful, but we didnt expect that, because we thought our finished product wouldnt
work as a pesticide. But when we tried the pesticide, it works. It wouldnt work immediately or rapidly
because of some reasons. We expected that the kakawate pesticide wouldnt work, because it takes time or
minutes before it died. But at least we made it, our kakawate pesticide is successful.
It is proven or tested by professionals and many farmers that kakawate leaves are very effective
pesticide, because it contains coumarin that kills pests. The kakawate pesticides dont affect rapidly the
worms or it doesnt immediately kill the pests because of the anticoagulants. Even if it doesnt affect so fast, it
would still kill the pest.
REFERENCES:
Capinpin, Ma. 1999, http://www.stuartxchange.com/Kakawati.html
Cornell University, 2008, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliricidia_sepium
Air Channel, 2010, http://aichannel.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/kakawate-leaf-an-effective-pesticide/
Calleja, Danny, 2010, Kakawate leaves as pesticide, bio-organic fertilizer,
http://www.gaiadiscovery.com/agriculture-industry/organic-botanical-pesticides-cheaper-effective-pest-
control.html
Rissecha, 2012, Madre de Cacao, http://www.studymode.com/essays/Madre-De-Cacao-1262337.html
Tacio, Henrilito, 2009, Organic, Botanical Pesticides: Cheaper & Effective Pest Control,
http://www.gaiadiscovery.com/agriculture-industry/organic-botanical-pesticides-cheaper-effective-pest-
control.html