Pengaruh Refugia dan Pestisida Nabati Terhadap Pertumbuhan, Produksi, dan Keanekaragaman Serangga pada Tanaman Cabai Merah (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of refugia plants and botanical pesticides on the growth, yield, and insect diversity of red chili (Capsicum annuum L.). The experiment was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, using a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The first factor consisted of three refugia treatments: no refugia (R0), Tagetes sp. (R1), and Zinnia sp. (R2). The second factor consisted of three botanical pesticide treatments: no botanical pesticide (P0), lemongrass extract at 150 ml/L (P1), and papaya leaf extract at 150 ml/L (P2). Plant height, fruit yield, pest attack intensity, and insect diversity were observed during the study. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 5% significance level when significant differences were detected. The results showed that the application of refugia plants, botanical pesticides, and their interaction had no significant effect on plant height and fruit yield of red chili. The insect diversity index (H') was 1.64, indicating a moderate level of diversity, with Aphididae being the dominant insect group. Although no significant improvement in plant growth and yield was observed, the use of refugia plants and botanical pesticides has the potential to support environmentally friendly integrated pest management by conserving beneficial insects and reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides.

Keywords: botanical pesticides, insect diversity, integrated pest management, red chili, refugia.