The Effectiveness of Several Repellent Plants to Control Thrips (Thrips sp.) in Small Chile (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Abstract

Insect pests such as Thrips sp. can result in yield losses in chili up to 23%. To suppress its attacks while reducing pesticide use, repellent plants can be grown at the edges as the barrier of the insects to decrease pest populations. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of several types of edge plants as repellents to control the population and intensity of Thrips attack on small chili (Capsicum frutescens L), by conducting a experiment in the field located in the village of Nyiur Lembang, Narmada District, West Lombok Regency. The experimental design used was a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments, namely chili + basil, chili + marigold, chili + onion and monocropped chili (control), each of which was replicated six times. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD at 5% significance level. The results showed that the use of basil, marigold and shallots as repellents was effective in reducing the population and intensity of Thrips pest attacks on chili plants. The Thrips population on chili planted with basil, marigold, and shallots was significantly lower than the control plants. The highest average population of Thrips was in control plants (3.52 individuals), while in the plants treated with basil, marigold and shallot were 2.40; 2.60 and 2.79 individuals, respectively. The intensity of attack by Thrips sp was significantly higher in the control (3.70%) than in the treated chili plants, i.e. only 2.91% under the treatment with basil, 3.15% with marigold, and 3.32% with shallots.