During the Exhibition of Works held on Monday, February 19, 2024, the Community Service Program (KKN) Students Team I of Diponegoro University Academic Year 2023/2024 showcased the results of their work program for approximately 35 days. The Undip KKN students team, located in Gunungtiga Village, Belik District, Pemalang Regency, successfully created an innovative solution to tackle the problems caused by weeds. Through the innovation of herbicide production, they provided an environmentally friendly solution to eliminate weeds.
Gunungtiga Village is an area known for pineapple cultivation. However, the emergence of weeds has become a severe problem for cultivated plants as they absorb nutrients and cause a decrease in both the quantity and quality of production. “In the context of parasitic symbiosis, weeds become detrimental to cultivated gardens,” said Meicko, one of the Undip KKN Team I students in Gunungtiga Village.
Conventional herbicides such as biosorp 486 are often used by farmers. However, biosorp 486 is not environmentally friendly as it contains glyphosate and emits a pungent odor. Therefore, Meicko Muttaqiina Aulia, a KKN student from Diponegoro University’s Chemical Engineering Department, provided an environmentally friendly alternative to weed eradication using safer everyday ingredients such as salt, vinegar, and dish soap.
“This herbicide is more economical and easier to make. Vinegar has a high chemical concentration, so it can effectively eliminate weeds,” explained Meicko.
The production of this herbicide is straightforward and can be made at home using essential ingredients such as acetic acid (vinegar) and salt. The process of making herbicide liquid independently starts with boiling 1 liter of water, dissolving 6 salt blocks, and mixing 1 liter of food-grade vinegar. Once cooled, this solution can be directly sprayed onto weed plants.
This innovation not only provides a solution for pineapple plantations in Belik District but also empowers residents to tackle weed problems in their environment. Education on the production of herbicide products is hoped to improve the welfare of pineapple farmers in Belik District and increase the production of healthy plant cultivation without interference from weeds. (GR, ed. Titis-Public Relations)
