Based on controlled field experiments in Sembalun, East Lombok, the research shows that increasing concentrations of tobacco bark insecticide consistently lowered whitefly populations and attack intensity, while dramatically improving potato productivity. At the highest concentration tested, potato tuber weight increased by more than 80 percent compared with untreated crops.
Why Whitefly Control Is a Critical Agricultural Issue
Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are among the most destructive pests affecting potato crops in Indonesia. Beyond direct damage caused by sap feeding, whiteflies spread plant viruses that can wipe out more than half of a harvest. Farmers often respond with frequent applications of synthetic pesticides, which can provide short-term relief but create long-term problems.
Across major potato-growing regions, heavy chemical pesticide use has contributed to pest resistance, declining soil health, water contamination, and pesticide residues on food crops. These issues clash with Indonesia’s commitments to sustainable agriculture and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on environmental protection and responsible production.
Against this backdrop, botanical insecticides made from locally available plants are gaining attention. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), long known for its nicotine content, produces compounds that are toxic to insects but degrade quickly in the environment. Large quantities of tobacco stem bark are discarded as agricultural waste, especially in regions such as West Nusa Tenggara, creating an opportunity for low-cost, eco-friendly pest control.
How the Field Experiment Was Conducted
The research team conducted a field experiment from March to June 2025 using Tedjo MZ potato plants grown under real farming conditions in Sembalun Village. The study applied a randomized experimental design with six treatments: no insecticide and five concentrations of tobacco bark insecticide ranging from 2 percent to 10 percent.
The insecticide was produced locally by soaking dried Virginia tobacco stem bark in water, then adding a natural adhesive derived from aloe vera to improve leaf coverage. The solution was sprayed weekly for eight weeks, targeting the underside of potato leaves where whiteflies typically gather.
Researchers measured three main outcomes:
· Whitefly population levels, using direct counts and insect traps
· Attack intensity, based on visible leaf damage
· Potato yield, including tuber number and tuber weight per plant
The data were analyzed to identify dose–response patterns between insecticide concentration, pest control, and crop productivity.
Clear Dose–Response Effects on Whiteflies
The results showed a strong and predictable relationship between insecticide concentration and pest suppression.
Key findings include:
· Whitefly populations declined steadily as insecticide concentration increased
· The untreated control recorded the highest population, averaging 3.92 insects per plant
· The 10 percent concentration reduced populations to 3.03 insects per plant, achieving 22.82 percent suppression
· Statistical analysis showed an exceptionally strong linear relationship, with R² = 0.98, indicating that concentration explained nearly all observed population changes
Attack intensity followed the same pattern. As whitefly numbers fell, visible plant damage decreased. Each additional whitefly increased attack intensity by 1.27 percent, confirming that population control directly translates into reduced crop stress.
Major Gains in Potato Productivity
Perhaps the most striking results appeared in crop yield. Reducing pest pressure allowed potato plants to allocate more energy to tuber development.
At the highest insecticide concentration:
· Tuber number increased by 66.67 percent compared with untreated plants
· Tuber weight rose by 82.93 percent, from 58.30 grams to 106.65 grams per plant
· Yield improvements showed near-perfect correlations with insecticide concentration (R² > 0.99)
These gains are attributed to healthier leaves, improved photosynthesis, and reduced nutrient loss caused by whitefly feeding and honeydew deposits that interfere with plant growth.
Why Tobacco Bark Works as an Insecticide
The insecticidal effect comes primarily from nicotine alkaloids, which disrupt the insect nervous system and act as contact poisons. Tobacco bark also contains other natural compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids, which enhance toxicity and reduce feeding activity.
Because these compounds break down quickly, they pose lower risks to beneficial insects, soil organisms, and human health compared with many synthetic pesticides. Using agricultural waste as raw material further strengthens the environmental and economic appeal.
Implications for Farmers and Agricultural Policy
The findings offer practical benefits for multiple stakeholders:
· Farmers gain access to a low-cost, locally sourced pest control option that improves yields without heavy chemical inputs
· Agricultural extension services can integrate tobacco-based insecticides into integrated pest management programs
· Policymakers receive field-based evidence supporting botanical pesticides as part of sustainable agriculture strategies
· Environmental regulators can reduce pressure from pesticide residues and ecosystem damage
The consistent dose–response pattern also makes the insecticide easier to standardize and recommend for practical use.
Insight from the Researchers
The research team from the University of Mataram emphasizes that botanical insecticides are no longer experimental concepts but viable field solutions. As the authors note, tobacco bark insecticide “demonstrates strong potential as a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial component of integrated pest management,” particularly for smallholder potato farmers in Indonesia
Author Profile
· Srilah Nora Wahyuni, is a graduate researcher in Dryland Agriculture at the University of Mataram, Indonesia, specializing in sustainable crop protection and pest management.
· M. Taufik Fauzi, is affiliated with the University of Mataram and focuses on applied agronomy and plant protection.
· M. Sarjan, is a senior academic at the University of Mataram with expertise in integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture systems.
Source
Article title: Effectiveness of Botanical Insecticides from Virginia Tobacco Bark in Controlling Whiteflies and Increasing Potato Plant Productivity
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology
Publication year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i1.346
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