Neem
Introduction - Preparation of neem products for organic farming
Neem is attracting worldwide attention in recent decades mainly due to its bioactive ingredients that find increasing use in modern crop and grain protection. Described here are some easy methods by which the neem extracts can be prepared by the farmer himself:
Neem kernel
extract
50 gr of neem kernel is required for use in 1 litre of water. The neem kernel is pounded gently. It should be pounded in such a way that no oil comes out. The outer coat is removed before pounding, this is used as a manure. If pounded with seed coat 1 ½ times (75 gr) seeds is required. The seeds that are used for preparation of neem kernel extract should be at least 3 months old and should not be used after 8-10 months. Before 3 months or after 8 months, the azadirachtin quantity is quite low in the seed and hence it cannot efficiently be used for pest control. The pounded neem kernel powder is gathered in a muslin pouch and this is soaked overnight in the water. The pouch is squeezed and the extract is filtered. To the filtrate, an emulsifier like soap oil or soap cake powder is added. One ml of emulsifier is added to one litre of water. The emulsifier helps the extract to stick well to the leaf surface.
Neem leaf
extract
For 5 litres of water, 1 kg of green neem leaf is required. Since the quantity of leaves required for preparation of this extract is quite high (nearly 80 kg are required for 1 hectare) this can be used for nurseries and small gardens. The leaves are soaked overnight in water. The next day the leaves are ground and the extract is filtered. The extract is beneficial against leaf eating caterpillars, grubs, locusts and grasshoppers. An emulsifier is added to the extract as mentioned in kernel extract.
Neem cake
extract
100 gr of neem cake is required for 1 litre of water. The neem cake is put in a muslin pouch and soaked in water. It is soaked overnight before use in the morning. It is then filtered and emulsifier is added -1 ml for 1 litre of water. It can then be used for spraying.
Neem oil
spray
30 ml
neem oil
is
added
to
1 litre
of
water
and
stirred
well. To
this Neem
is
attracting
worldwide
attention
in
recent
decades
mainly
due to
its
bioactive
ingredients
that
find
increasing
use in
modern
crop and
grain
protection.
Described
here are
some
easy
methods
by which
the neem
extracts
can be
prepared
by the
farmer
himself.