Potential Use of Coconut Shell Liquid Smoke as an Insecticide on Soybean and the Impact on Agronomic Performance

Abstract

One of the limiting factors in increasing soybean production is the high infestation of pests and diseases. Coconut shell liquid smoke has potential as a botanical insecticide on soybeans. This study was conducted to determine potential use of coconut shell liquid smoke on growth and yield of soybean compared to biological insecticide (entomopathogenic fungi) and chemical insecticide on acidic dry land in South Lampung, Lampung Province, Indonesia. The treatments were arranged with three insecticide treatments and two fertilization method (organic and inorganic fertilization), and control without insecticides and fertilizers. The intensity of pest attacks (I) was calculated using Townsend–Heuberger formula. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the treatment of three insecticide applications and two fertilization methods on the agronomic performance and yield of soybeans. Different results were shown in the control without fertilization with lower yield. Pest infestation in coconut shell liquid smoke treatment was smaller than other treatments. Coconut shell liquid smoke has the potential to be developed as a botanical insecticide, with the same results compared to chemical insecticide treatments.