Preparation of Neem Products and Their Uses


Neem is attracting world wide attention in recent decades mainly due to its bioactive ingredients that find increasing use in modern crop and grain protection. This chapter discusses the methods by which the neem extracts can be prepared by the farmer himself.


Neem Kernel Extract

50 gm 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 used as manure. If pounded with seeds coat one and half times (75g) seeds are required. The seeds that are used for preparation of neem kernel extract should be atleast 3 months old and should not be used after 8 to 10 months. Before 3 months or after 8 months the azadirachtin quantity is quite low in the seeds and hence it cannot be efficiently 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 tween 80, sandovit, soap oil, nirma or soap cake powder is added. One ml of emulsfier is added to one litre of water. The emulsifier helps the extract to stick well to the leaf surface.

Remarks: The kernel extract should be milky white in colour and not brownish. The kernel extract does not control sucking insect like aphids, white flies and the stem borers. In these cases one could go in for the use of neem oil spray solution.


Neem leaf Extract

For 5 litres of water, 1 kilogram of green neem leaf is required. Since the quantity of leaves required for preparation of this extract is quite high (nearly 80 kilograms are required for 1 hectare) this can be used for nursery and kitchen 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. To the extract, emulsifier is added as mentioned for kernel extract.

Remark: There is no need to boil the extract. Boiling reduces the azadirachtin content. Hence the cold extract is more effective. Some farmers prefer to soak the leaves for about on week. However this creates a foul smell.


Neem Cake Extract

100 gm 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 at the rate of 1 ml for 1 litre of water. It is now ready for spraying.


Neem Oil Spray

30ml neem oil is added to 1 litre of water and stirred will. Only then will the oil and water mix well. To this emulsifier is added (1ml/1litre). It is very essential to add the emulsifier and mix properly. It should be used immediately. Otherwise oil droplets start floating. A knapsack sprayer is better for neem oil spraying in preference to a hand sprayer.

General Remarks about Spraying:

• 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 everyday spraying is recommended.
• Insects lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. Hence it is important to spray under the leaf also.
• While using a power sprayer reduce the quantity of water used to half.
• It is better to use low concentration of extracts frequently.
• As a general guideline it can be said that each acre of land to be protected can be sprayed with 60 litres of ready to use solution (not the concentrate). Of course the volume may have to be varied depending on the exact condition such as the intensity of the pest attack.