Effectiveness Effectiveness of Botanical Pesticide Based on Basil Leaf Extract (Ocimum basilicum) against Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) on Red Chili Plants

Abstract

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) is one of the major pests on red chili plants, causing direct damage through sap-sucking activities and indirect damage as a virus vector. The continuous use of synthetic chemical insecticides has negative impacts on the environment and health, necessitating more environmentally friendly control alternatives. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of basil leaf extract (Ocimum basilicum Sims) in controlling whitefly populations on red chili plants. The research employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five concentrations of basil leaf extract (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and a positive control (chemical insecticide), each replicated four times. Parameters observed included whitefly population abundance, attack intensity, and red chili yield. The results showed that basil leaf extract effectively suppressed whitefly populations and attack intensity. Treatments at 50% and 75% concentrations provided effectiveness approaching that of the chemical insecticide treatment. Basil leaf extract contains active compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and eugenol, which act as botanical insecticides. This study recommends the use of basil leaf extract at 50-75% concentration as an environmentally friendly alternative for controlling whitefly pests on red chili plants.