Neem Oil Origin of Neem essential oil:
Native to India, Neem is widely planted and naturalized in semiarid areas throughout Asia and Africa. Neem is an evergreen of the tropics and sub-tropics.Description of Neem :
Neem is a medium sized to large tree characterized by its short straight trunk, furrowed dark brown to gray bark and dense rounded crowns of pinnate leaves. Neem is nature's answer for protection against the degenerative effects of a modern polluted environment. The Neem tree has been known as the wonder tree for centuries in the Indian subcontinent. It has become important in the global context today because it offers answers to the major concerns facing mankind.
Appearance : Viscous liquid
Aroma : Rich, Earthy and Green musty smell.
Color : Brown
Chemical constituents: Neem oil has various chemical compounds that include Margosic Acid, Nimbin,Nimbidin, Nimbinin, Kaempeerol, Azadirone, Quercursertin, B - Sitosterol, Praisine,Vanilic Acid, Nimbicetin and Meliacins.
Extraction: It is obtained by solvent extraction of seed, fruit or kernel
History: Neem oil has been used since centuries by farmers in India as an insecticide, Pesticides and bio Fertilizers. Early research on Neem oil started in the 1920s in India and has continued ever since. By 1991, several hundred researchers in at least a dozen countries were studying various aspects of neem and its products.
SOME SPECIAL FEATURES :Neem Oil is used to protect plants and crops against pests.
Neem Oil is used in making shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, mosquito repellants, creams and lotions.
Neem Oil is used for treating many skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis and skin allergies.
Neem Oil has great healing properties associated with its use in cuts, scrapes, and rashes.
Neem Oil is bio-degradable, so it has proven to be non-toxic to mammals, birds, bees or earthworms.
Neem Oil application in Farming field as Fertilizers/Pesticide:
Add 5 grams or 5 milliliters of an ecologically friendly detergent / Soap oil (dish washing liquid) or suitable emulsifier to a liter of water and stir thoroughly.
Add 50 milliliters (about 5 bottle caps) of Neem Oil.
Add this emulsion to a bucket holding 9 liters of Luke warm water.
Stir vigorously.
Spray using a knapsack sprayer or any suitable sprayer, within 8 hours of mixing. You may use this both as a foliar spray on crops, and as a soil drench by spraying the soil near the crop roots.
For most crops it is recommended that you repeat the spraying 5 times, at intervals of 7 to 10 days each.
Increased in the same proportion for large areas:
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.