Bio-pesticidal Properties of Neem (Azadirachta indica) | Chapter 03 | Advances and Trends in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1
Consequence upon the geometrically
rising world population and the increasing pressure on food items, it has
become increasingly necessary to increase food production from the present
level. The possibility of achieving this is not only to increase production but
also to protect the crops cultivated. Crop protection can be achieved through
several means. One of such is the use of pesticides. This paper therefore
reviews the use of neem extracts as bio-pesticides among other plant species
with inherent pesticidal activities. It is no doubt that the chemical
pesticides or insecticides possess inherent toxic substances that endangers the
ecological environment, operators of application equipment, soil microbiota and
consumers of the agricultural products. It is therefore important that we
encourage the use of biological pesticides as they affect only target pest, are
easily biodegradable, increase farm land fertility, environmentally friendly,
cost effective and ease of availability. It is also important that because of
the low cost of production of bio-pesticides it should be encouraged as an
option in African countries especially Nigeria in agricultural practices. The
practice of farmers making their own neem-based products for pest control would
reduce their dependence on external inputs for agriculture. It would also
reduce their cost of pest control to almost zero, leaving only labour as a
potential expenditure item. Pests can also be controlled without the use of
toxic chemical pesticides, which will reduce the harm posed to humans and the
environment alike. There is wide scope for innovation in developing neem as an
efficient bio-pesticide. There is enough information to encourage the use of
different neem extracts. With the increasing trend of using bio fertilizers,
insecticides and pesticides, neem should be increasingly cultivated and grown
all over the world to get active ingredient-azadirachtin, responsible for
stopping the growth cycle of pests. Neem is also assuming a lot of importance
in crop management. Considering the fact that neem is not only a cheaper,
naturally occurring product and an effective method to control pests and
insects, but also has no side effects on plants or other living beings
especially soil micro biota.
Author(s) Details
Dr. Bassey Etta Agbo
Department of Microbiology,
University of Calabar, P. M. B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Dr. (Mrs.) Abo Iso Nta
Department of Zoology and
Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, P. M. B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Mr. Mathias Okang Ajaba
Department of Science
Laboratory Technology, University of Calabar, P. M. B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Comments
Post a Comment