Status Report on Global Neem Usage - Gtz

3. NEEM AS A NON-SYNTHETIC PESTICIDESOURCES:• mainly. Schmutterer (1995): The Neem Tree...• Govindachari, T.R., Suresh, G., Gopalakrishnan, G., Banumathy, B. and Masilamani, S.(1998): Identification of Antifungal Compounds from the Seed Oil of Azadirachta indica,Phytoparasitica 26 (2),• Musabyimana, T. & Saxena R.C. (1999): Efficacy of Neem Seed Derivatives againstNematodes Affecting Banana, Phytoparasitica 27 (1): 43-49.3.3 Comparison of Neem with Other PesticidesNeem’s most striking advantage in comparison to synthetic pesticides is that it is not toxic towarm-blooded organisms, which means that neem and its components do not pose a dangerto users, consumers or pets. Furthermore, in spite of its broad spectrum of activity in the fieldof pest control, neem is harmless to the majority of beneficial organisms (including honeybees). The same applies to fish and birds; no neem residues have been found in soil orwater to date (5, 13, 19, 20,). Trials with insect and mammal cells revealed that the activeingredients showed specific effects in the insect cells where the active ingredient did notinterfere with the physiology of mammals. In addition to these noteworthy ecologicalcharacteristics, certain other requirements have to be met in order to establish neem as amodern, non-synthetic pesticide. A series of positive aspects can be listed in favour of neemin this respect:• high level of efficacy• long-term application with low risk of pest resistance developing, since many of theagents differ in their mode of action• specific effects on pests, while safe for humans and with only minimal side-effects onnon-target organisms• generally good availability due to its geographical distribution• a range of technologies can be employed• limited persistency; i.e. rapid breakdown to harmless metabolites• usage possible for many years thanks to the seedsIn addition neem offers a range of further advantages over other pesticides:• Strengthening the plants treated: plants’ ability to withstand pest attack is increased as istheir threshold resistance to pests and disease. For example, following application ofneem for several years in citrus plantations, there was a positive physiological effect dueto plants becoming more robust. The levels of secondary parasites and diseases aresignificantly reduced and their threshold resistance is raised.• Plant nutrition: raw materials from neem contain many macro and micro nutrients, in additionto which neem regulates micro-organisms in the soil which have beneficial effectson nutrition25