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
emulsifier is added (1ml/1litre). It is very essential to add the emulsifier and mix properly. This should be used immediately before the oil droplets start floating. A knapsack sprayer is better for neem oil spraying in preference to a hand sprayer. Spraying should be undertaken in the morning or late in the evening. During hot conditions the frequency of spraying should be more. In winter spraying once in 10 days and in rainy season, every day spraying is recommended. Insects lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. Hence it is important to spray on the underside of the leaves as well. While using a powder sprayer reduces the quantity of spraying to half, it is better to use low concentration of extracts frequently. Each acre of land can be sprayed with 60 litres of ready to use solution.
