An Ethnobotany Study on the Plants Utilized as Pesticides by Communities in Cianjur, West Java and East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

The use of plants as pesticides is one of the local knowledge possessed by Indonesian farmers. The use of pesticides has received widespread attention along with the negative impacts of using synthetic pesticides on both health and the environment. This study is expected to be able to improve information on the use of plants that have the potential as pesticides so that it can reduce the dependence on synthetic pesticides while protecting the environment and health. This study was conducted through interviews and direct observation in two villages, namely Cianjur (West Java) and East Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara). The results indicated that there are 10 plants species from 9 genera and 6 families which have potential as pesticides. Two of ten plants species, namely Datura metel L. and Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. used by farmers in those two studied villages that can be used as pesticides. Part of the plants used as pesticides in Cianjur and East Lombok were leaves, bark, and stem. Most of the part used is leaves.