The widespread use of pesticides made from dangerous chemicals, such as arbofuran, endosulfan, terbofus, zeta-cypermethrin, aldicarb, methyl bromide, paraquat, triazhopos, and glyphosate is increasingly worrying. According to a study conducted by Boedeker et al. (2020) published in the Public Health journal, 385 million people in agriculture fall ill due to acute pesticide poisoning every year. Moreover, farmers or workers who come into direct contact with pesticides can experience health problems, such as mass poisoning from the food consumed and exposure to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s, asthma or leukemia.
Considering that Indonesia is an agricultural country with economic sources, one of which comes from agriculture, special attention is needed. Therefore, five students from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Brawijaya University (FTP UB) created an innovative Bioinsecticide and Biofertilizer Based on a Consortium of Bacillus thuringiensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas putida with Alginate Immobilized.
The five students consist of 4 FTP UB students Batch of 2021, namely Achmad Fauzi Kusuma, Lamia Hanifa, Marcella Chika Nathania and Rizkyta Kartika, as well as 1 FTP UB student Batch of 2022, namely Clive Nathan Pangestu under the guidance of Mr. Jaya Mahar Maligan, STP. M.P.
“Bioinsecticides and biofertilizers based on the Bacillus thuringiensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida consortium are innovations that are sollutive and environmentally friendly in eradicating pests without increasing the risk of ecosystem pollution or harm to human health. The result of this innovative product is a fermented yield which is then sprayed on plants with an effectiveness level of 100% in bioinsecticide to kill armyworms and 33% in biofertilizer to increase the growth rate of mustard plants. This product is the result of research funding from ASIC (Agritech Science and Innovation Competition) program which will be held in 2023 by ARSC (Agritech Research and Study Club) FTP UB,” said Achmad Fauzi. (*/OKY/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).
