Extract of Nerium oleander L. Effectively Inhibit Population of Spodoptera exigua (Hubner.) on Palu Shallot

Abstract

One of the obstacles in shallot cultivation is the S. exigua Hubner larvae attack, reducing crop yields. The efforts to control larvae attack using chemical pesticides are often carried out. One of the alternatives chosen to control the larvae attack is the use of Nerium (Nerium oleander L.) leaf extract. This plant has the potential as a larvicide because it is toxic. The study's main goal was to figure out what effect a certain concentration of N. oleander leaf extract had on the population density and attack intensity of S. exigua larvae. The investigation was carried out between December 2018 and February 2019. P0= 0 g/l (without treatment), P1= 2.68 g/l (0.268%), P2= 5.37 g/l (0.537%), P3= 10.75 g/l (1.075%), P4= 21.5 g/l (2.15%), and P5= 43 g/l (4.3%) were employed in the study. The randomized block design (RBD) was utilized in the study, and it was repeated four times. The findings revealed that increasing the quantity of N. oleander leaf extract may reduce the population density and attack intensity of S. exigua larvae while simultaneously increasing the output of Lembah Palu shallots. Generally speaking, the higher the concentration of N. oleander leaf extract, the lower the population density of S. exigua larvae, and the larger the shallot yield. It is necessary to use the effective concentration of N. oleander leaf extract, which is P3 (10.75 g/ha) with a production rate of 7.29 tons/ha in order to get the desired results.