India is playing a crucial role in development of neem
as pesticide in agriculture and pest control industry.
Neem in India is used for many purposes
Veterinary medicine
Unani medicine
Cosmetics
Malaria control
- public health
CROP PROTECTION AGENT
Nitrogen efficiency
Agro-forestry
Silviculture
Ayurvedic medicine
Ancient medicine
Agriculture
Modren medicine
Antifertility and other medical application
RESEARCH NEEDS
Even though neem is belong to a particular place and has many reputable properties and is
a multi-purpose tree (MPT), it has been generally neglected by plant scientists in India. As
neem survives varied climatic and edaphic conditions, it is presumably heterozygous. No.
serious attempt seems to have been made to collect its germplasm. Selection of plus trees
and genetic improvement programmes would need a through knowledge of its breeding
system, pollination biology and reproductive strategies.
With the exception of a survey made in 1959, reporting that India has 14 million neem trees,
no recent estimation of the population of neem has been made. Studies have to be carried
out on the seasonal quantification of different phenophases with respect to resources
allocation in terms of leaf number, LAI, leaf RGR, number of twigs, number and weight of
flowers and fruits and stand and net production.
Because of the important physiological
functions, the secondary xylem cannot
escape adaptive pressures. By comparing
the wood characteristics of neem from
various localities along with climatic data and
edaphic features, it is possible to ascertain
whether or not there is an ecological pattern
in wood anatomy. The study on the wood
characteristics of neem with wide ecological
amplitude can bring to focus the important
question whether it is the genetic make up or
environmental regime that has an overriding
influence in deciding the arrangement and
quality of wood elements. This information
would be valuable for planting conservation
and utilization purposes.
As explained, neem gum has an unbelievably high amount of protein (28.7 to 35%) which is
also non-bitter, although almost all other products of neem including neem oil are pungent.
The full potential of this product which is recommended for human consumption, has not
been realized. Therefore, a thorough scientific study is required on all aspects of tree biology
of neem to extend its benefits on a sustained basis. There is a need to recognize a center for
research on all aspects of neem in one of the existing National Laboratories.
Neem Urea Coating