Botanical Pesticides, A Potential Etnobotany Karo District to Support Food safety of Horticultural Products
Lamria Sidauruk(a*), Ernitha Panjaitan(a) and Patricius Sipayung (b)

a) Department of Agrotechnology, Methodist University of Indonesia, Jl. Harmonika Baru Pasar 2 Tanjung Sari, Medan 20132, Indonesia
* lamriasidauruk[at]yahoo.com
b) Department of Agrotechnology, Chatolic University of Santo Thomas, Jl. Setiabudi, Medan 20132, Indonesia

Abstract

The use of plants as materials to control pests has long been known by traditional communities before the introduction of synthetic pesticides. This is called ethnobotany, which is the study of the traditional use of plants by the smallest tribes, which has attracted the attention of many experts because of its existence and potential. The use of botanical pesticides has received important attention along with the negative impacts of using synthetic pesticides on health and the environment. In addition, Indonesia has a high wealth of biodiversity, including plant materials for botanical pesticides. In the world of plants, flora in the territory of Indonesia is estimated to have about 25% of the species of flowering plants in the world which ranks as the seventh largest country with the number of species reaching 20,000 species. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of several native plants of Karo Regency which have the potential as botanical pesticides to control pests in horticultural crops. Botanical pesticides are made by extraction method and indicator plants for observing pest attack are potato and cabbage.
The results showed that noni leaf extract (Morinda citrifolia L), soursop leaf extract (Annona squamosa L), tobacco leaf extract (Nicotina tabbacium) and citronella leaf extract (Citrullus collocynthus ) significantly reduced the population of aphids, thrips and other leaf-eating larvae (Crocidolomia binotalis, Plutella xylostella) and reduced the percentage of pest attacks on potato and cabbage plants and increasing insect diversity index.

Keywords: Botanical pesticide- Food safety- Pest control

Topic: Emerging Technologies in Agricultural Production Systems