EFFECT OF BRASSINOLIDE HORMONE on the GROWTH and

PEST RESISTANCE of PECHAY (Brassica rapa)

By

Andes, Ann Joyce L.

Trompeta, Myrene Jel B.

A Thesis Presented to the

Department of Natural Sciences
College of Sciences and Engineering
Ateneo de Naga University

In Partial Fulfillment of requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science in Biology

March 2017
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

Brassica rapa belongs to the genus of cabbage in Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) family,

also known as the mustard family. The name crucifer comes from the shape of flowers, with

four diagonally opposite petals in the form of a cross (Canadian Food Inspection Agency

1999).

Brassica rapa, commonly known as “Pechay” or “Park Choi” is a cabbage, green leaf

vegetable that is served in Asian cuisine. Pechay are often used in soup, stew and even

eaten raw because of its nutritional content. Its low calorie, low fat and rich in vitamins

make it entice the health conscious consumers. In normal situation and proper

management practices like pest control application, seedling care and maintenance, pechay

can give a good produce without damaging the crop.

Use of pesticide is a wide-known practice to control pests that hinders the growth

and production of crops. Pesticide are mixture of substance of chemical used to repel pests

such as bacteria, nematodes, insects, mites, mollusks, birds, and other organisms affecting

the food production, even human health. Moreover, pesticide includes substances such as

insect attractants, herbicides, plant defoliants, desiccants, and plant growth regulators

(http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Pesticides.aspx).

Brassinolide (Brassinosteroids) may represent a sixth class of plant hormones. This

was explored nearly 40 years ago, when preferment was reported in stem elongation and

cell division by the treatment of organic extracts of rapeseed (Brassica napus) pollen.
Brassinolide could inhibit biological activity of oxidase and hydrolase, enhance the smell,

and regulate the balance of endogenous hormone. Brassinolide can stimulate the uniform

seed germination, enrich the photosynthesis and stimulates plant growth. It improves the

flowers and fruits retention and protects plants against disturbing and drought stress, and

pesticide damage (Nováková et al. 2014).

1.2. Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Framework

1.2.1. Conceptual Framework

Types of Pests

Independent Brassinolide Number of

Variable as Pesticide Damaged Leaf

Number of
Undamaged
Leaf
Variables
Plant Fresh
Weight

Dependent Growth
Percent
Damaged by
variable Pest

Leaf Area Index

This study will focus on the effect of Brassinolide on the growth and pest resistance of

pechay (Brassica rapa). Its independent variable is the use of brassinolide as pesticide. To

evaluate the effect of brassinolide on pechay, the researchers will observe the presence of

pest on the pechay plant and the number of damaged and undamaged leaves will be
counted. Moreover, the dependent variable is the growth by getting the plants fresh weight,

leaves per plant and leaf area index.

1.2.2. Theoretical Framework

Plant hormone was deriving from morphogenic and developmental correlation by the

botanist Julius von Sachs between year 1880 and 1893, who proposed the existence of root

and flower forming, also other substance that made in a different morphology and

physiology of a plant. On the other hand, Charles Darwin made his original observations on

phototropism of a grass coleoptile where he proposed the existence of signal that

transported from the tip of coleoptile to the bending lower regions. Where a substance that

named auxin and later on identified from extract of urine and fungal cultures as indole

acetic acid or IAA.

Other parts of study led to the discovery of other hormones. Brassinosteriods were

found in pollen in 1970’s, throughout until 20 years later that this hormone recognized to be

a universal occurrence. In 1950’s the cytokinins were identified from fungal and culture

plant tissue, which found in the degraded DNA. The effects of illuminating gas and smoke on

plants were known until 1950’s that ethylene was a natural hormone. The study on the

abscission and dormancy in 1960’s was the isolation of abscisic acid of plant tissue (Davies

2014).

Brassinosteroid (brassinolide) is a plant steroid hormone that has been detected in

pollens, shoots, leaves, flowers, stems and seeds, but not in roots. This hormone affects the

cell expansion and division, reproductive development and stress resistance.

Brassinosteroid act in paracrine or autocrine manner with limited signal transport between
tissues and organs. Unlike in animal steroid that perceived by the nuclear receptors,

brassinosteroid are perceived by leucine rich repeat receptor like kinesis, which member of

family membrane localized receptor kinases containing extracellular leucine (G. Wu et al.

2011, Clouse 2014).

1.3. Objectives of the Study

This study will be conducted to prove the resistance to pests of pechay (B. rapa)

using Brassinolide.

Specifically, it aims to accomplish the following objectives:

1.3.1. To evaluate the effect of brassinolide at different concentrations on pest

resistance of pechay (B. rapa) in terms of:

1.3.1.1. Pest Incidence

1.3.1.2. Number of Damaged Leaf

1.3.1.3. Number of Undamaged Leaf

1.3.2. To evaluate the effect of brassinolide at different concentrations on growth of

pechay (B. rapa) in terms of:

1.3.2.1. Plant Fresh Weight

1.3.2.2. Leaves per Plant

1.3.2.3. Leaf Area Index

1.3.3. To determine the most effective concentration of brassinolide as pesticide.

 1.3.3 To determine if there is a significant difference between the positive control

and the most effective concentration of brassinolide.

1.4. Research Hypothesis

1.4.1. There is a significant difference in effectiveness of brassinolide as pest

resistance at different concentrations.

1.4.2. There is a significant difference in effectiveness of brassinolide on the growth

of pechay (B. rapa).

1.5. Significance of the Study

The result of this study may be useful to the following individuals or groups:

Academe. This study may help in understanding horticulture.

Horticulturist. This study may contribute information that may serve as alternative for

cultivating their crop and plant.

Future Researchers. This study may serve as a baseline data for future researchers.

1.6. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study is focused on utilization of brassinolide of different concentrations (10

ppm, 15 ppm and 20 ppm) as pesticide for pechay cultivation. The growth and pest

resistance of pechay will be determined.

The positive control used was Malathion E-57 which is a wide-spectrum insecticide

used to control several species of insects on different fruits and vegetables.

 The pechay seedlings were purchased at a farm station. Brassinolide were acquired

at a reputable manufacture.

The study site is near the researcher’s residence. Cultural practices of agriculture

were adopted.