Neem Oil is derived from the seeds of the Azadirachta indica (Indian Neem Tree), indigenous to India and other regions of Southeast Asia. The fruit-bearing process of these prolific trees results in seeds, which are processed to extract Neem Oil, while the remaining seed meal is marketed as "neem cake" or "neem seed meal," serving as an organic fertilizer and nematicide.
Neem Oil stands out as one of the most adaptable tools for pest management. It effectively eliminates small, soft-bodied pests such as Aphids, Mealybugs, Mites, Thrips, and Whiteflies upon contact. Implementing Neem Oil in an initial spray treatment, followed by the introduction of generalist predators like the Green Lacewing, offers an effective strategy for reducing existing pest populations in the cultivation area. For those practicing organic farming, Neem Oil provides a precise method of targeting pests with minimal adverse effects on beneficial insects or the environment.
Mechanism of Action of Neem Oil
The primary active ingredient in Neem Oil is Azadirachtin (named after the botanical name of the Neem tree), along with several other effective compounds.
Neem Oil functions as an insecticide through two primary mechanisms:
- It acts as an anti-feedant, deterring insects from feeding when they come into contact with or ingest the oil. Enhancing the application with a surfactant improves the spread and adherence of the oil on plant surfaces.
- Neem also disrupts insect hormonal balance and growth, interfering with the normal hormone-driven processes that govern their growth and development. Beyond its insecticidal properties, Neem Oil also serves as a fungicide, bactericide, and is lethal to Plant Parasitic Nematodes while being harmless to Beneficial Nematodes.