Neem in India
FUTURE PROSPECTS AND APPROACHES
Like all other plants, neem too is susceptible to attack from a wide range of phytophagous insects,
mites, nematodes, mammals and pathogenic microorganisms. A number of pests like P. maxima, H.
antonii and A. orientalis and diseases viz., damping off and web blight are already causing serious
damage in some areas. As neem-based pesticides gain increasing popularity in IPM programmes,
neem cultivation will be undertaken on an extensive scale and in newer areas.
Moreover, commercial cultivation of neem will necessitate selection of genotypes yielding high quality
raw materials for the manufacturer of natural pesticides. These programmes will, in all likelihood,
result in the aggravation of pest problems and throw up new challenges. Systematic efforts need to be
devoted to an in-depth study of the neem ecosystem with special emphasis on the role of natural
regulating factors (natural enemies, pathogens, climatic factors) operating against phytophagous pest
species.
SilviculturaI practices need to be manipulated to the detriment of pests and pathogens, Breeding
programmes should aim at selection of best genotypes keeping in view their reaction to important
pests and diseases. As reported recently, isolated P. solanacearum causing bacterial wilt of neem is
not pathogenic to Melia azedarach. Diatloff et. al. have suggested that the later plant could be used as
a wilt-resistant root stock.
The new biotechnologicae tools provide unique opportunities for manipulation of the neem genome to
increase the concentration of some of the allelochemicals, which may help in decreasing the
attractiveness and palatability of neem to pests and pathogens. Many pests particularly lepidopterans
suffer from natural epizootics and therefore, systematic research on insect pathogens holds great
promise for future IPM programmes. The emerging scenario will simultaneously present new
challenges and offer unique opportunities to neem scientists to develop the tree as a model botanical
pesticide.
Like all other plants, neem too is susceptible to attack from a wide range of phytophagous insects,
mites, nematodes, mammals and pathogenic microorganisms. A number of pests like P. maxima, H.
antonii and A. orientalis and diseases viz., damping off and web blight are already causing serious
damage in some areas. As neem-based pesticides gain increasing popularity in IPM programmes,
neem cultivation will be undertaken on an extensive scale and in newer areas.
Moreover, commercial cultivation of neem will necessitate selection of genotypes yielding high quality
raw materials for the manufacturer of natural pesticides. These programmes will, in all likelihood,
result in the aggravation of pest problems and throw up new challenges. Systematic efforts need to be
devoted to an in-depth study of the neem ecosystem with special emphasis on the role of natural
regulating factors (natural enemies, pathogens, climatic factors) operating against phytophagous pest
species.
SilviculturaI practices need to be manipulated to the detriment of pests and pathogens, Breeding
programmes should aim at selection of best genotypes keeping in view their reaction to important
pests and diseases. As reported recently, isolated P. solanacearum causing bacterial wilt of neem is
not pathogenic to Melia azedarach. Diatloff et. al. have suggested that the later plant could be used as
a wilt-resistant root stock.
The new biotechnologicae tools provide unique opportunities for manipulation of the neem genome to
increase the concentration of some of the allelochemicals, which may help in decreasing the
attractiveness and palatability of neem to pests and pathogens. Many pests particularly lepidopterans
suffer from natural epizootics and therefore, systematic research on insect pathogens holds great
promise for future IPM programmes. The emerging scenario will simultaneously present new
challenges and offer unique opportunities to neem scientists to develop the tree as a model botanical
pesticide.
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