UGM student explores invasive plants as biopesticide materials
Universitas Gadjah Mada
2026.05.08
This parasitic organism poses a serious threat to plants, as it can attack multiple host species and inhibit growth by forming root galls. Interestingly, several weeds, particularly invasive plants, contain secondary metabolites that can disrupt pest activity by acting as feeding deterrents, growth inhibitors, reproductive disruptors, or toxic compounds.
Mukhlis Ibrahim, a doctoral student in Agricultural Science specializing in Plant Pests at the Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada, is exploring the potential of invasive weeds as alternative materials for plant pest control.
“These weeds can serve as sources of natural active compounds for controlling plant pests,” said Ibrahim on Thursday (May 7). “Previous studies have shown that several invasive plants contain secondary metabolites capable of disrupting pest activity.”
In his preliminary research, Ibrahim examined compounds found in weeds that could be developed into biopesticides.
This parasitic organism poses a serious threat to plants, as it can attack multiple host species and inhibit growth by forming root galls. Interestingly, several weeds, particularly invasive plants, contain secondary metabolites that can disrupt pest activity by acting as feeding deterrents, growth inhibitors, reproductive disruptors, or toxic compounds.
Mukhlis Ibrahim, a doctoral student in Agricultural Science specializing in Plant Pests at the Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada, is exploring the potential of invasive weeds as alternative materials for plant pest control.
“These weeds can serve as sources of natural active compounds for controlling plant pests,” said Ibrahim on Thursday (May 7). “Previous studies have shown that several invasive plants contain secondary metabolites capable of disrupting pest activity.”
In his preliminary research, Ibrahim examined compounds found in weeds that could be developed into biopesticides.
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