Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (Anacardium occidentale) as a Botanical Insecticide to Control Helopeltis sp on Cocoa plants

Abstract

Cashew nut skin is considered as waste, whereas cashew nutshell extract, or called CNSL (Cashew Nut Shell Liquid), has the potential as a botanical insecticide that can control insect pests. Helopeltis sp is a pest that often attacks cacao plants. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of cashew nutshell extract as a botanical insecticide to control Helopeltis sp. in cacao plants. The study used a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. Testing CNSL on adult (imago) and pre-adult (nymph) insects. CNSL concentrations used are 0%, 3.125%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100%. The results showed that cashew nutshell extract has strong toxicity. A concentration of 3.125% can kill 100% of the imago Helopeltis sp. (72 hours after application) for the nymph Helopeltis sp. (48 hours after application). LC50 values 24 hours after application for imago and nymph were 4.63% and 0.94%, and LC99 for imago and nymph was 42.62% and 23.89%. Furthermore, cashew nut extract can be used as a botanical insecticide to control other plant pests.