An eco friendly water soluble bio-insecticide from Neem
There are increasing concerns about the safety of synthetic chemical pesticide usage in crop protection today. This has given a new thrust to the use of safer pesticides of botanical origin, which are harmless to humans, animals and the environment at large. With increasing public awareness and tighter environmental controls, this segment of pesticides is slated to dominate the market in the immediate future.
Neem - A Traditional Biopesticide
Various parts of the neem tree have been traditionally used as a source of biopesticide. Azadirachtin-A, a limonoid from the Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been proven to be a potent insect growth regulator, active on a wide range of insects serving as an antifeedant, moult inhibitor, oviposition deterrent and an agent that causes reduction in fecundity. Although, unlike the synthetic pesticides, the effects are slow, there would be a definite advantage in that resistance build-up is less likely.
Azadirachtin-A is active in the range of 0.1 to 100 ppm for different insect species.
Neem based Pesticide Formulations
A number of neem based formulations are commercially available as emulsifiable concentrates (ECS), suspension concentrates (SCS) and ultra low volume (ULV) formulations. In addition to surfactants and sticky agents, these formulations contain solvents such as methanol, ethanol, xylene, turpentine, isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol etc.
Existing Formulations have Low Shelf Life
Currently available formulations containing Azadirachtin-A degrade very quickly in the presence of water or sunlight. Carriers and surfactants in these formulations (mentioned above) may also contribute to the degradation of the active ingredients and poor shelf life.
SoluNeemTM Addresses These Concerns
SoluNeemTM is a unique, completely water soluble combination of various limonoids, primarily Azadirachtin-A, from the neem seed kernel. It is produced by a novel patented technology that enhances thermostability and bioavailablity, prolongs shelf life and potentiates insect growth regulating activity.
SoluNeemTM is Highly Stable
The graph clearly shows that SoluNeemTM is highly stable even at 110oC, whereas Technical Neem Seed Kernel Extracts (NSKE) are thermolabile. Thus SoluNeemTM addresses one of the major concerns in the use of neem based biopesticides.
SoluNeemTM is Effective
SoluNeemTM embodifies the goodness of neem, as it contains all the limonoids present in the NSKE. The accompanying picture shows the comparative effect of SoluNeemTM and Technical NSKE in a typical case study (Spodoptera litura). It is evident that SoluNeemTM exhibits notable potentiating activity. On farm trials on paddy with SoluNeemTM indicate its potentiated field efficacy.
SoluNeemTM is the True Biopesticide
SoluNeemTM is highly soluble in water thereby increasing its bioavailability, and is a true biopesticide as there is no involvement of any organic solvent or surfactant. Thus it is an ideal component for any integrated pest management program, organic farming or biological control program as it is absolutely safe for beneficial arthropods.
Product Specification
SoluNeemTM is available as a white, amorphous powder which could be stored indefinitely without loss in insecticidal activity, and instantly dissolves in water to give a solution that is ready for spraying.
USAGE: SoluNeem is a water soluble powder. For application on floriculture and vegetables, foliar sprays at concentration of 0.5 grams per litre can be used, repeated once in two weeks. For coconut mite infestations SoluNeem can be applied systemically, either as root feeding or stem injection @ 1 gram in 10 ml water per tree.
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