Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Plant Based Pest Control Plant-based pest control refers to pest control methods that use plants or plant genetic traits to control or reduce harmful pest populations. This approach involves using plants as a tool or active defense in controlling plant pest attacks. Some of the key concepts of plant-based pest control include: 1. Insect repellent plants: Some plants produce certain chemical compounds that certain pests don't like. When these plants are planted around cultivated plants, they can act as insect repellents and reduce the chance of pest attacks. 2. Plants tolerant to pest attacks: Some plant varieties can develop resistance or tolerance to certain pest attacks. These plants are able to survive and remain productive even when exposed to pest attacks, thereby reducing losses caused by these attacks. 3. Trap plants: Trap plants are plants that attract pests to attack them, thereby diverting the attention of pests from the main cultivated plants. This can help reduce damage caused by pests to the main crop. 4. Host-Plant Resistance (HPR): This approach involves developing plant varieties that have certain genetic traits that make them less attractive to pests or more resistant to pest attacks. This may include changes in the plant's chemical composition, the plant's physical structure, or the plant's defense response to pest attack. Plant-based pest control is often considered an environmentally friendly pest control method because it does not involve the use of synthetic chemicals. However, the success of plant-based pest control can be influenced by various factors such as the pest species present, the plant growing environment, and appropriate agricultural management. Therefore, the selection and implementation of pest control plants needs to be done carefully to achieve optimal results. The aim of plant-based pest control is to reduce or control pest populations that are detrimental to plants by utilizing the natural properties of plants or interactions between plants and pests. Some specific goals of plant-based pest control include: 1. Reduction of agricultural losses: One of the main goals is to protect agricultural products from damage caused by pest attacks. By using pest control plants, losses caused by pests can be reduced, thereby increasing crop yields and farmer income. 2. Reducing the use of chemical pesticides: The use of pest control plants can reduce dependence on chemical pesticides which are harmful to the environment and human health. This reduces environmental pollution and health risks associated with the use of chemical pesticides. 3. Biodiversity conservation: By utilizing the natural properties of plants to control pests, plant-based pest control helps in maintaining biodiversity in the agricultural environment. Pest control plants often attract beneficial insects or reduce pest populations without harming non-target organisms. 4. Sustainable agriculture : The use of pest control plants supports sustainable agricultural practices by reducing the use of chemical pesticides and maintaining ecosystem balance. This helps in maintaining the health of the soil, water, and overall environment. 5. Lower pest resistance: Pest control plants can help reduce the risk of pests developing resistance to chemical pesticides. By using a different approach to controlling pests, pest control plants can help maintain the effectiveness of chemical pesticides for longer periods of time. Thus, the main goal of plant-based pest control is to achieve a balance between crop protection, environmental health, and agricultural sustainability.