Neem in India
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Very little work has been done on pest management in neem nurseries and plantations. Some of the
strategies suggested in this section have been obtained by extrapolation from alternative hosts of the
important pests.
A number of alternative host plants are known for many of the important pests attacking neem.
Recently, Tewari has suggested that growing of neem in cashew nut growing areas should be
avoided to prevent damage by H. antonii. Similar practice may be useful in the management of some
other major pests. However, sound silviculturaI practices need to be developed and evaluated before
these can be utilized in integrated pest management (IPM) in the neem ecosystem. A number of
silviculturaI and mechanical control measures have been suggested for the management of white
grub in neem and other forest nursery areas. Deep ploughing of nursery area exposes white grub
populations to predators. Seed beds should not be prepared during hot or pre-monsoon months
when the chafer beetles are on wings. Adult beetles may be mechanically collected and killed. No
weeding or hoeing operations should be carried out in the seedbeds during the swarming period of
beetles.
Very little work has been done on pest management in neem nurseries and plantations. Some of the
strategies suggested in this section have been obtained by extrapolation from alternative hosts of the
important pests.
A number of alternative host plants are known for many of the important pests attacking neem.
Recently, Tewari has suggested that growing of neem in cashew nut growing areas should be
avoided to prevent damage by H. antonii. Similar practice may be useful in the management of some
other major pests. However, sound silviculturaI practices need to be developed and evaluated before
these can be utilized in integrated pest management (IPM) in the neem ecosystem. A number of
silviculturaI and mechanical control measures have been suggested for the management of white
grub in neem and other forest nursery areas. Deep ploughing of nursery area exposes white grub
populations to predators. Seed beds should not be prepared during hot or pre-monsoon months
when the chafer beetles are on wings. Adult beetles may be mechanically collected and killed. No
weeding or hoeing operations should be carried out in the seedbeds during the swarming period of
beetles.
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The eggs, larvae and pupae of Eurema sp. in nurseries and young plantations may be handpicked
and destroyed. This method could also be used for minimising the damage of the unidentified snail
damaging neem nurseries in Gujarat. The pest maybe collected and dropped in a container having
salt solution. The operation can be repeated at weekly intervals.
and destroyed. This method could also be used for minimising the damage of the unidentified snail
damaging neem nurseries in Gujarat. The pest maybe collected and dropped in a container having
salt solution. The operation can be repeated at weekly intervals.
In case of severe attack of neem scale, pruning of infested plants and their burning preferably at the
time of egg deposition is recommended for effective and natural pest control. It has been reported that
presence of weeds around neem trees increased the damage by H. antonni. Consequently, cleaning
of areas under and around neem trees may minimise the pest incidence.
time of egg deposition is recommended for effective and natural pest control. It has been reported that
presence of weeds around neem trees increased the damage by H. antonni. Consequently, cleaning
of areas under and around neem trees may minimise the pest incidence.
Natural enemy fauna of neem pests is poorly studied. Scymnus coccivora Ayyyar and Eublemma
scitula Ramb. Have been reported predating on the neem mealy scale, P. maxima while Chilocorus
infernalis Mulsant is a predator on Lapidosaphes sp. Another coccinellid, Coccinella transversalis
Fabricius has recently been reported feeding on coccids attacking the neem tree in Tamilnadu, India.
The parasitoids reported include Euplectus sp. and Brachymeria sp. on Eurema sp. and Euplectus
parvulus Ferriere on Ascotis species. No attempt has been made at manipulation of any of the natural
enemies for the management of neem pests.
scitula Ramb. Have been reported predating on the neem mealy scale, P. maxima while Chilocorus
infernalis Mulsant is a predator on Lapidosaphes sp. Another coccinellid, Coccinella transversalis
Fabricius has recently been reported feeding on coccids attacking the neem tree in Tamilnadu, India.
The parasitoids reported include Euplectus sp. and Brachymeria sp. on Eurema sp. and Euplectus
parvulus Ferriere on Ascotis species. No attempt has been made at manipulation of any of the natural
enemies for the management of neem pests.
Ironically, natural pesticides are the preferred method for the control of neem pests as other
management tactics are not yet well developed. Sucking pests like scales, thrips and bugs may be
controlled by application of systemic insecticides like monocrotophos or dimethoate (0.01-0.02%) in
water. General application of water emulsion of any soil insecticide is recommended for the control of
subterranean pests like termites and white grubs. In endemic areas, chloropyriphos should be
sprayed on the nursery beds prior to sowing.
management tactics are not yet well developed. Sucking pests like scales, thrips and bugs may be
controlled by application of systemic insecticides like monocrotophos or dimethoate (0.01-0.02%) in
water. General application of water emulsion of any soil insecticide is recommended for the control of
subterranean pests like termites and white grubs. In endemic areas, chloropyriphos should be
sprayed on the nursery beds prior to sowing.
Defoliators are generally not a serious problem on neem trees. Most of these are polyphagous and
warrant the use of insecticides only in exceptional cases. Whenever required, these pests can be
controlled by using insecticides that act by ingestion or contact, i.e. carbaryl (0.1 %) or endosulfan
(0.02-0.4%) or fenitrothion (0.05%).
warrant the use of insecticides only in exceptional cases. Whenever required, these pests can be
controlled by using insecticides that act by ingestion or contact, i.e. carbaryl (0.1 %) or endosulfan
(0.02-0.4%) or fenitrothion (0.05%).