Pests > Pest Management > Chemical control > Plant derived products > Neem > Neem, Azadirachta indica, ID, Samoa
Pests Pest Management Chemical control Plant derived productsNeemNeem, Azadirachta indica, ID, Samoa
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| Febrauary 2005. Photos of what were thought to be neem were sent for identification from Samoa. There was mixed opinion whether they were of neem, Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach (Bead tree, Chinaberry, Persian lilac and also Bakanain and Dharek in the sub-continent) or Azadirachta excelsa. M azedarach has mauve coloured, fragrant flowers, which appear in spring before the appearence of leaves, while the flowers of neem tree (Azadirachta indica) are white.
There was and interesting note about neem’s insecticide and nematicide properties:
A excelsa is a marvellous tree of economic importance grown extensively in Malaysia for timber. Check by looking on the ground for fallen seed capsules, crack these open and there should be one or occasionally two seed kernels. The Bead tree, Melia azedarach, does not have definite kernels. A excelsa has one large seed kernel.
Try to extend the growing of Azadirachta indica for insecticidal and nematicidal properties. The tree should be propagated and distributed so that you have a local supply of neem seed kernels for insecticidal and nematicidal control. The German GTZ has carried out extensive research into neem as an alternative to synthetic chemical control of insects.
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