Insect pests are stopped in their tracks by Neem derivatives.
Neem pesticides are rated among the lowest-risk pesticides to use due to the lack of danger associated with them. Neem is a tree native to India, and all parts of the plant have been used for centuries to fight a host of ailments, as well as to improve the quality of agricultural crops. The neem tree's insecticidal powers were first discovered in 1959 by a German entomologist when it was the only tree left standing after a swarm of locusts stripped every other living thing in the area. Does this Spark an idea?
Use as a Pesticide
The oil extracted from the seeds and leaves of the neem tree is used to formulate pesticide sprays. It is one of the pesticides that is considered organic, or "soft," and leaves no residue behind to alter the taste or safety of the food. It not only alters the bugs' growth-regulating hormones, but it also interferes with their ability to reproduce and, ultimately, to molt, killing them. Fully biodegradable, neem oil is a safe alternative to harsh chemicals as it does not have any effect on beneficial insects like bees.
Use as an Amendment
When the oil is extracted from the neem seeds, the resulting by-product is called neem cake. Neem cake is sometimes mixed into the soil as an amendment to help the soil retain moisture and nitrogen, to kill nematodes and encourage the presence of earthworms. Neem cake in the soil results in larger, more vigorous plants that are often both insect- and disease-resistant.
Use as a Fungicide
Neem oil sprayed directly on plant foliage has been found to eliminate powdery mildew and other pesky fungi. It can also arrest the production of aflatoxin, which develops in certain grains as a result of mold. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen that is harmful when consumed by humans who eat the affected grain. Neem acts as a preventative measure if applied prior to fungus infection and is able to kill the fungus after it is established.
Use as a Preservative
In tropical climates, bugs are a problem when it comes to storing and preserving food crops, especially grains. A coating of neem oil on these harvested crops serves to protect the stored grains for up to 20 months. The leaves of neem trees may also be included on a small scale to deter hungry invaders.
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