Piscicidal effects of Pachyrhizus erosus (yam bean) seed extracts

APRIL ROSE P. PASQUIN, VENICE EURIKA D. RODRIGO, ADONA BEATRIZ T. VILLALUNA, and ATHENES JOY P. ABAN
Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, Philippines

Abstract
Pachyrhizus erosus (yam bean) seeds have been known to contain toxic compounds despite its high nutritional content. Along with the growth in the trend of plant-based pesticides and piscicides, this study was conducted to determine the effects of Pachyrhizus erosus seed extracts on Chanos chanos (milkfish) fingerlings to determine the probability of using it as an effective piscicide. The Chanos chanos fingerlings were subjected to the concentrations of 0.25 milligrams per liter (mg/L), 2.5 mg/L, 25 mg/L and were observed for 96 hours. The 1, 3, and 6-hour median Lethal Concentration (LC₅₀) values for the Chanos chanos fingerlings were calculated to be 2.03 mg/L, 0.25 mg/L, and 0.06 mg/L respectively. There were no calculated LC₅₀ values in the 12 to 96-hour time range due to 100% mortality of the samples. Results showed a significant difference in the mortality rate of the fish subjected under said conditions at 95% confidence interval.

Keywords: piscicidal effects, Chanos chanos fingerlings, Pachyrhizus erosus extracts, piscicide, LC₅₀