Review Article: Integrated Strategies for Biological and Environmentally Friendly Control of Pests in Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

Abstract

Biological control is an alternative approach in pest management that utilizes biological agents and natural materials to suppress pest and pathogen populations. The negative impacts of chemical pesticides on the environment, human health, and production sustainability have driven the need for the development of biological control methods in various regions, including coconut and rubber plantations in Indonesia. Therefore, this review article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of biological control and natural material applications as environmentally friendly strategies to reduce pest attacks on coconut and rubber plants. Several methods such as the use of parasitoids, entomopathogenic fungi, aggregate pheromones, Trichoderma spp., chitosan, and liquid smoke have been applied and have shown effectiveness in suppressing pest and pathogen populations while supporting sustainable plantation systems.