KataBali.com – Bangli, Farmers, especially Crystal guava cultivators are advised to use botanical pesticides made from lime leaves as a fruit fly pest control. This is because lime leaves emit a fragrant aroma. Each lime leaf contains an aroma extract consisting of various types of essential oils. Some of the typical aromas include citrus and citronellal aromas. In addition, each lime leaf also contains several active compounds such as flavonoids, luteolin, limonene, and many others. This was revealed in the Community Service (PKM) activity carried out by a research team from the Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University consisting of Dr. Ir. Ni Putu Anom Sulistiawati, M.Sc., Ir. Ni Komang Alit Astiari, M.Sc., and Ir. I Nengah Suaria, M.Sc at the Astiti Farmer Group, Tiga Village, Susut District, Bangli on Saturday (8/5). Coordinator of the research team Dr. Ir. Ni Putu Anom Sulistiawati, M.Si said that natural ingredients from plants or natural pesticides are a safe alternative to use. Because it is made from natural ingredients, this type of pesticide is easily decomposed (biodegradable) in nature so it does not pollute the environment and is relatively safe for humans and livestock because the residue is safe. "It turns out that lime can be used as a fruit fly repellent. The distinctive aroma of lime is disliked by fruit flies, they do not enter plants that have been sprayed with lime botanical pesticides," said Anom Sulistiawati. Anom Sulistiawati said based on information from farmers, they have been controlling fruit flies on Crystal guava by wrapping it with nets at a high cost. Another way is to use chemical pesticides, but the impact is that when harvested up to 3 weeks later, the remaining chemical pesticides still stick to the fruit. Crystal guava is highly sought after by consumers compared to other guava varieties so it has high prospects for development. However, the demand for crystal guava is considered not yet well met, this is due to the lack of production stock produced by Kintamani-.Bali farmers with large harvest areas and fruit producers are expected to be able to develop and increase potential and become a center for fruit production. Unfortunately, fruit flies are small winged insects, yellow with black stripes in the wasp causing fruit damage. These insects are pests of fruit plants that are the most hated enemies by farmers. Fruit flies are important pests that can damage fruit and are very detrimental to farmers. These flies attack fruit on plants by laying their eggs in the fruit. The eggs will hatch into caterpillars that will damage the fruit, the fruit that will be attacked will appear round spots on the surface of the skin, then small holes and rot. Anom Sulistiawati hopes that the lime leaf herbal pesticide can be utilized optimally by farmers. In addition to the ingredients being easy to obtain, the method of making it is also very simple, simply by fermenting it for 7 or 10 days, the lime herbal pesticide is ready and ready to use. Use 30-50 ml of lime herbal pesticide for 1 liter of water and spray it on the plants. Spraying should be done when the fruit fly pest is active, namely in the morning or evening. Repeat spraying every 2 days. That's how to control fruit flies with lime. "It can also be given directly without fermentation, namely by making a solution of 350 mg of lime leaves blended, in 1 ml liter of water then filtered and then sprayed directly, this activity is in order to prevent fruit fly mothers from landing on various parts of the plant to be able to lay eggs," said Anom Sulistiawati who is also the Head of Agrotechnology Study Program at the Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University.
author : Dr. Ir. Ni Putu Anom Sulistiawati, M.Si
