Bioinsecticidal Activity of Roots and Leaves Extract of Cymbopogon citratus on Sitophyluz oryzae

Sitophilus oryzae is a storage pest of serious concern nowadays, which causes various losses by destroying large quantities of grains, legumes, and other food materials. Several methods have been utilized to overcome the infestation of this pest, including synthetic pesticides. However, this method somehow negatively impacted the surroundings, especially the non-targeting organism. Thus, biopesticides safe to nature and ecosystems can be applied as an alternative. The aim of this research was to study the bioinsecticidal activities of Cymbopogon citratus leaves and root extract against Sitophilus oryzae. The bioinsecticidal activity was assessed through repellency tests, contact activity, and phytochemical analysis. Roots and leaves were extracted using solvents such as ethanol, methanol, and chloroform. Extract concentration was varied to 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm for repellency and contact activity tests. Based on the data obtained, it was best described that ethanolic extract of C. citratus root shows the highest repellency of 100% after 5 h exposure to 200 ppm extract concentration with a mean repellency of 80.7%. Both ethanolic extract of C. citratus root and leaves at 200 ppm show 100% mortality of S. oryzae after 24 h exposure. Based on phytochemical screening, saponin, phenols, and tannins were detected in both the root and leaves of C. citratus, which might be possible to contribute in the bioinsecticidal activity.