Implementasi Tanaman Pendamping dan Bakteri Endofit terhadap Populasi Arthropoda Detrivor, Predator, dan Parasitoid pada Tanaman Cabai Rawit (Capsicum Frutescens L.)

Abstract

Companion planting is an ecological approach that enhances habitat complexity and supports the conservation of functional arthropods in agricultural ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the effects of companion plants, endophytic bacteria, and their interaction on the populations of detritivore, predator, and parasitoid arthropods in cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). The experiment employed a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two factors: four companion plant treatments (no companion plant, maize, yardlong bean, and cosmos) and six endophytic bacteria application methods involving root dipping of cayenne pepper seedlings and foliar spraying. Arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps, yellow sticky traps, and yellow pan traps, and data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Companion plants significantly increased the populations of detritivores, terrestrial predators, and arboreal predators by improving habitat complexity and microhabitat conditions. In contrast, endophytic bacteria did not significantly affect arthropod populations, although they potentially improved soil microhabitat conditions. Overall, companion planting played a more important role than endophytic bacteria in shaping arthropod community structure. These findings demonstrate that companion planting is a promising ecological strategy for conserving functional arthropods and promoting sustainable cayenne pepper production.