Soaking-Derived Pesticide from Bintaro Fruits (Cerbera manghas): A Potential Repellent for Rice-Eating Birds

Muhammad Yusril Hardiansyah (Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan)
Akhmad Zamroni (School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, The Philippines)
Andi Hurul Auni Usman (Department of Tropical Silviculture, IPB University, Bogor 6680, Indonesia)
Phong Ngoc Trieu (Institute of Food and Biotechnology, Can Tho University, Cần Thơ 02923, Vietnam)

Indonesian Journal of Ecology and Conservation
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation

Bird pests represent a major constraint in rice cultivation, often causing significant yield losses due to their increasing population and feeding activity. Conventional control methods are limited, prompting exploration of plant-derived repellents as sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the effectiveness of pesticide formulations derived from Cerbera manghas (Bintaro) fruit extract in repelling rice-eating birds. The research was conducted in Tonasa Village, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, using a field-based spraying approach. Observations were recorded across morning, midday, and afternoon periods, comparing bird attack frequencies before and after treatment. Results demonstrated a marked reduction in pest activity: morning attacks decreased from 20–35 to 9–16, midday from 9–15 to 3–6, and afternoon from 22–33 to 9–15. These findings indicate that C. manghas fruit extract exhibits promising repellent properties, contributing to improved rice protection and potentially enhancing sustainable pest management strategies