Neem for Sustainable Pest Management and Environmental Conservation
Available Languages:
Available Languages:
Dated: June 2015
Author: Ramesh C. Saxena
An issue of ECHO Asia Notes featuring the article 'Neem for Sustainable Pest Management and Environmental Conservation' by Ramesh C. Saxena, Ph.D., Chairman, Neem Foundation. Discusses the potential benefits of using neem (Azadirachta indica) products for integrated pest and vector management.
Abstract
To be sustainable, agricultural processes, including pest and vector management must be efficient (effective and economically rewarding), ecologically sound (for long term stability), equitable (in providing social justice), and ethical (in respecting both future generations and other species). Basic and applied research conducted over the past three decades have shown that the use of natural and enriched neem (Azadirachta indica) products can provide a key component in ensuring sustainable integrated pest and vector management. The formidable array of more than 100 bioactive compounds in the neem tree makes it a unique plant with potential applications in pest and vector management. Unlike toxic synthetic insecticides, neem materials do not kill the pest, but incapacitate or neutralize it via cumulative behavioral, physiological, and cytological effects. In spite of high selectivity, neem materials affect more than 500 species of insect pests, phytophagous mites, mites, and ticks affecting man and animals, parasitic protozoans, noxious mollusks, plant parasitic nematodes, pathogenic fungi, and harmful bacteria and fungi. Results of large-scale field trials have illustrated the value of neem-based pest management for enhancing crop productivity. Neem is useful as windbreaks and in areas of low rainfall and high wind speed, it can protect crops from desiccation. Neem trees are being planted on a large scale in southern China and Brazil. Neem has also been grown in Australia, in many countries in Africa, Latin America, Caribbean islands, etc. Neem has much to offer in solving agricultural and public health problems, especially in rural areas. Increased awareness of the potential of neem tree by creating awareness of its potential would go a long way in promoting its acceptance for pest management and improvement of plant health, animal health, human health, and environmental health.
The individual components of the trove are listed below. Click on one to download the file or go to the external url. You can download the full trove below as a .zip file.
https://www.echocommunity.org/resources/8070b929-59de-4c4c-893d-b5cd97542a41
https://www.echocommunity.org/resources/8070b929-59de-4c4c-893d-b5cd97542a41
Guide
The Food Spray Manual - Using the Food Spray Method to Enhance Biological Control in Cotton: A trainer's guide
A manual providing guidance on how to use the 'food spray method' as part of Integrated Pest...
Guide
Handbook on pesticidal plants
Handbook on pesticidal plants: Optimization of Pesticidal plants: Technology, Innov...
Presentation
Using Pesticidal Plants in Crop Protection
A presentation given by Professor Steven R. Belmain, University of Greenwich, Natural Resources Institute, dis...
Case Study
Case Study: Using Pesticidal Plants for Pest Management in Africa
A case study of the use of pesticidal plants for pest management. By Prof Steven R. Belmain, published by the...
Guide
Fall Armyworm in Africa: A Guide for Integrated Pest Management
This FAW IPM Guide is designed for use by professionals in plant protection...
Report
Fall Armyworm: Impacts and Implications for Africa - Evidence Note (Summary version)
This publication is a digest of an Evidence Note commissioned by the UK Department...
Guide
Integrated management of the Fall Armyworm on maize - A guide for Farmer Field Schools in Africa
A guide written to provide guidance on how to conduct Farmer Field Schools (FFS) on...
Guide
FALL ARMYWORM (Spodoptera frugiperda): Identification, biology and ecology
A single-page pamphlet summarising information about identifying the fall armyworm. Produced by CABI and the F...
