Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Insect Repellent Plants Insect repellent plants are plants that produce natural compounds or have properties that certain insects do not like. This plant is used as a method of pest control which aims to reduce pest attacks on cultivated plants. The basic principle is to plant insect repellent plants around the main plants to repel or reduce the population of harmful insects. Insect repellent plants can work in several ways: 1. Repellants: These plants produce compounds that have an aroma or taste that certain insects don't like, so that the insects stay away from the main plant. 2. Masking: Insect repellent plants can produce scents that confuse or interfere with the insects' ability to find the main plant. 3. Aposematic: Some insect repellent plants can display bright or striking colors as a warning to insects of their poisonous properties. Examples of insect repellent plants include marigold (Tagetes sp.), lavender (Lavandula sp.), mint (Mentha sp.), garlic (Allium sativum), and many more. These plants are often used in mixed cropping patterns or as living fences around agricultural areas to reduce insect attacks on main crops. Using insect repellent plants is an environmentally friendly pest control method because it does not use dangerous chemical pesticides. However, their effectiveness may vary depending on the insect species present and the environmental conditions where the plant is grown. The benefits of insect repellent plants are as follows: 1. Reducing pest attacks: Insect repellent plants can reduce or repel insects that damage the main plant. The compounds produced by these plants can repel insects, thereby helping maintain plant health and productivity. 2. Reducing the use of chemical pesticides: By reducing pest attacks using insect repellent plants, farmers can reduce dependence on chemical pesticides that are harmful to the environment and human health. This contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. 3. Increased Biodiversity : Insect repellent plants often attract beneficial insects, such as bees and beetles, which aid in pollination and natural control of pest populations. This increases biodiversity around the farm. 4. Sustainable agriculture : The use of insect repellent plants supports sustainable agricultural practices by reducing the use of chemical pesticides and maintaining ecosystem balance. These plants help in maintaining the health of the soil, water, and overall environment. 5. Improved crop quality: By reducing pest attacks, insect repellent plants help in maintaining the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. Healthier plants tend to produce better yields and are more resistant to environmental stress. 6. Cost savings: Using insect repellent plants can reduce costs incurred on purchasing chemical pesticides and their application. This can increase farmer profitability and reduce overall production costs. With these benefits, the use of insect repellent plants is an effective strategy for environmentally friendly and sustainable pest control. In conclusion, the use of insect repellent plants is an effective and environmentally friendly method for controlling pests in agriculture. By relying on the natural properties of plants to repel or reduce insect attacks, insect repellent plants provide a number of significant benefits to agriculture and the environment. These benefits include reduced pest attacks, reduced use of dangerous chemical pesticides, increased biodiversity, support for sustainable agricultural practices, improved crop quality, and reduced production costs. Thus, the use of insect repellent plants can help farmers maintain plant health and increase agricultural productivity without damaging the environment. Therefore, promotion and wider application of this method is expected to make a positive contribution to agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation.