Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Activity assay of neem products as pest antifeedant in agro-biodiversity

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The extracts obtained from Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) have been worldwide used indigenously as an insect pest antifeedant, and are known to be used by traditional medicine practitioners. The study was undertaken to investigate the impact of the synthetic pesticides and neem plant extracts on pollinators and crop yield of Pigeon Peas (Cajanus Cajan), and usage of the neem extracts on the field for pest management. The plant extracts were obtained in both aqueous and organic solvents. The insect pest infestation was more pronounced on untreated pigeon pea crop field compared to the field treated with neem extract or pesticide Dimethoate field. The field treated with neem plant extracts showed high frequency (abundance) and diversity in the numbers of pollinators of families Megachilidae and Apidae compared to the field treated with the pesticide Dimethoate. The activity of the active extracts was also performed in the dual-choice tests and No-Choice tests at different concentrations. The seed yield was high for neem extract treated field (2774 kg ha−1) than dimethoate treated (1602.8 kg ha−1) and untreated crop (1161.12 kg ha−1). Therefore the finding showed that neem based pest control is more efficient and increased yield production than synthetic pesticides/insecticides treatment. The research findings and observations from this report proved that beneficial insects are not affected or harmed with application of Neem plant extracts, and can continue to perform their valued services even after the application of Neem plant extracts, whereas their numbers decreased significantly on treated plants with synthetic pesticides. This is an indication that the most significant alternative strategies for insect control is the use of botanical pesticides particularly Neem extracts, and may be the most efficient means to replace a wide range of synthetic pesticides. To our knowledge, this is the first study that was done in East Africa specifically in one of the hottest province (Eastern province) of Rwanda, and can help to contribute in plant protection as the use of dimethoate is prohibited in various parts of the word.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and materials

The data sets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article.

References 

  • Afari-Sefa V, Rajendran S, Kessy RF, Karanja DK, Musebe R, Samali S, Makaranga M (2016) Impact of nutritional perceptions of traditional African vegetables on farm household production decisions: a case study of smallholders in Tanzania. Exp Agric 52:300–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad K, Adnan M, Khan MA, Hussain Z, Junaid K, Saleem N, Ali M, Basir A, Ali A (2015) Bioactive neem leaf powder enhances the shelf life of stored mungbean grains and extends protection from pulse beetle. Pak J Weed Sci Res 21:71–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Artienda Jr, Victorino A (2014) Efficacy of botanical pesticides in controlling insect pests of three pigeon pea varieties. JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research 16:1 

  • Bandyopadhyay U, Biswas K, Sengupta A et al (2004) Clinical studies on the effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer. Life Sci 75(24):2867–2878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2004.04.050

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhardt CE, Mitchell RJ, Michaels HJ (2008) Effects of population size and density on pollinator visitation, pollinator behavior, and pollen tube abundance in Lupinus perennis. Int J Plant Sci 169:944–953

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bilton JN, Broughton HB, Jones PS, Ley SV, Rzepa HS, Sheppard RN, Slawin AMZ, Williams DJ, Lidert Z, David Morgan E (1987) An X-ray crystallographic, mass spectroscopic, and NMR study of the limonoid insect antifeedant azadirachtin and related derivatives. Tetrahedron 43:2805–2815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biswas K, Chattopadhyay I, Banerjee RK, Bandyopadhyay U (2002) Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Current Science-bangalore- 82:1336–1345

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boily Y, Van Puyvelde L (1986) Screening of medicinal plants of Rwanda (Central Africa) for antimicrobial activity. J Ethnopharmacol 16:1–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brotodjojo RR, Arbiwati D (2016) Effect of application of granular organic fertilizer enriched with boiler ash and neem leaves powder on plant resistance against insect pests. Int J Biosci Biochem Bioinforma 6:152. https://doi.org/10.17706/ijbbb.2016.6.4.152-157

  • Butterworth JH, Morgan ED (1968) Isolation of a substance that suppresses feeding in locusts. Chem Commun (London) 23–24.

  • Chaudhary RK, Kanwar AS, Cahill DM, Barrow CJ, Sehgal R, Kanwar JR (2017) Progress on Azadirachta indica Based biopesticides in replacing synthetic toxic pesticides. Front Plant Sci 8:610. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00610

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chopra RN (1958) Indigenous Drugs of India. VN Dhur and Sons, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury R, Majumder M, Roy DN, Basumallick S, Misra TK (2016) Phytotoxicity of Ag nanoparticles prepared by biogenic and chemical methods. Int Nano Lett 6:153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40089-016-0181-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dara D, Mayam P, Naser A, Samad NE (2010) Essential Oil Compositions of the Leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss from Iran. J Essent Oil-Bear Plants JEOP 13(3):357-361

  • Dhingra S, Walia S, Kumar J, Singh S, Singh G, Parmar BS (2008) Field efficacy of azadirachtin-A, tetrahydroazadirachtin-A, NeemAzal® and endosulfan against key pests of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Pest Manag Sci 64:1187–1194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dreyer M (1987) Field and laboratory trials with simple neem products as protectants against pests of vegetables and field crops in Togo. In Natural pesticides from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and other tropical plants. Proceedings of the 3rd International Neem Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 10–15 July, 1986. 431–447. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit

  • Dreyer M (1986) Untersuchungen zur Wirksamkeit von Wasserextrakten und anderen Produkten aus Giemsamen gegen Sch@: adlinge an Gem@: use-und Feldkulturen in Togo

  • Ebong PE, Atangwho IJ, Eyong EU, Egbung GE (2008) The antidiabetic efficacy of combined extracts from two continental plants: Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) (Neem) and Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) (African Bitter Leaf). Am J Biochem Biotechnol. 4(3):239–244. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajbbsp.2008.239.244

  • El‐Aswad AF, Abdelgaleil SA, Nakatani M (2004) Feeding deterrent and growth inhibitory properties of limonoids from Khaya senegalensis against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. Pest Manag Sci: formerly Pesticide Science 60(2):199–203

  • Feuerhake KJ (1984) Effectiveness and selectivity of technical solvents for the extraction of neem seed components with insecticidal activity. Schriftenreihe der Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit

  • Forim MR, Costa ES, da Silva MF, Fernandes JB, Mondego JM, Boiça Junior AL (2013) Development of a new method to prepare nano-/microparticles loaded with extracts of Azadirachta indica, their characterization and use in controlling Plutella xylostella. J Agric Food Chem 61:9131–9139. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf403187y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Francine U, Jeannette U, Pierre RJ (2015) Assessment of antibacterial activity of neem plant (Azadirachta indica) on Staphylococcus aureus an Escherichia coli. J Med Plants Stud 3:85–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Glendinning JI, Domdom S, Long E (2001) Selective adaptation to noxious foods by a herbivorous insect. J Exp Biol 204:3355–3367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grivetti LE, Ogle BM (2000) Value of traditional foods in meeting macro- and micronutrient needs: the wild plant connection. Nutr Res Rev 13:31–46. https://doi.org/10.1079/095442200108728990

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janvier H, Sabine IA, Colores U, Bernard NJ (2018) Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity of Three Selected Homegrown Vegetables Consumed in Rwanda. European J Med Plants Res 22:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi LS, Pawar HA (2015) Herbal cosmetics and cosmeceuticals: An overview. Nat Prod Chem Res 3(2):170

  • Kraus W, Bokel M, Bruhn A, Cramer R, Klaiber I, Klenk A, Nagl G, Pöhnl H, Sadlo H, Vogler B (1987) Structure determination by NMR of azadirachtin and related compounds from Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae). Tetrahedron 43:2817–2830

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar P, Whitten M, Thoeming G, Borgemeister C, Poehling H-M (2008) Effects of bio-pesticides on Eretmocerus warrae (Hym., Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae). J Appl Entomol 132:605–613

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurniati R, Saidi N, Nasution R (2018) Antifeedant activity from neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica A Juss) Text info: https://doi.org/10.24815/jn.v18i1.8781

  • Liang GM, Chen W, Liu TX (2003) Effects of three neem-based insecticides on diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Crop Prot 22(2):333–340

  • Liauw MY, Natan F, Widiyanti P, Ikasari D, Indraswati N, Soetaredjo F (2008) Extraction of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) using n-hexane and ethanol: studies of oil quality, kinetic and thermodynamic. ARPN J Eng Appl Sci 3:49–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokanadhan S, Muthukrishnan P, Jeyaraman S (2012) Neem products and their agricultural applications. J Biopest 5:72–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Nisbet AJ (2000) Azadirachtin from the neem tree Azadirachta indica: its action against insects. An Soc Entomol Brasil 29:615–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogle BM, Dung NNX, Do TT, Hambraeus L (2001) The contribution of wild vegetables to micronutrient intakes among women: An example from the Mekong delta. Vietnam Ecol Food Nutri 40:159–184. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2001.9991646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okumu FO, Knols BGJ, Fillinger U (2007) Larvicidal effects of a neem (Azadirachta indica) oil formulation on the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Malar J 6:63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul R, Prasad M, Sah NK (2011) Anticancer biology of Azadirachta indica L (neem): a mini review. Cancer Biol Ther 12(6):467–476. https://doi.org/10.4161/cbt.12.6.16850

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmutterer H (1992) Control of diamondback moth by application of neem extracts. Diamondback moth management and other crucifer pests. Ed. by NS Talekar & TD Griggs: 325–332

  • Schmutterer H (1990) Properties and potential of natural pesticides from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica. Annu Rev Entomol 35:271–297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher M, Cerella C, Reuter S, Dicato M, Diederich M (2011) Anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative effects of a methanolic neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract are mediated via modulation of the nuclear factor-κB pathway. Genes Nutr 6:149–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12263-010-0194-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silva J, de Paula DA, Antonio EMC, and Wilson RC (2007) Antifeedant and allelopathic activities of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves. Rev Bras 17:529–532. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2007000400009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh N, Sastry MS (1997) Antimicrobial activity of Neem oil. Indian J Pharmacol 13:102–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh S (2003) Effects of aqueous extract of neem seed kernel and azadirachtin on the fecundity, fertility and post-embryonic development of the melonfly, Bactrocera cucurbitae and the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae). J Appl Entomol 127:540–547. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0418.2003.00787.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirohi A, Tandon P (2014) Insecticidal effects of various parts of Azadirachta indica on adults of Aulacophora foveicollis (Lucas) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Trends Biosci 7:3947–3949

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava SK, Agrawal B, Kumar, A, Pandey A (2020) Phytochemicals of AzadirachtaIndica Source of Active Medicinal Constituent Used for Cure of Various Diseases: A Review. JSci Res 64(1)

  • Subbalakshmi L, Muthukrishnan P, and Jeyarama S (2012) Neem products and their agricultural applications. J Biopest 5:72–76

  • Turner CJ, Tempesta MS, Taylor RB, Zagorski MG, Termini JS, Schroeder DR, Nakanishi K (1987) An NMR spectroscopic study of azadirachtin and its trimethyl ether. Tetrahedron 43:2789–2803

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vyas BN, Mistry KB (1996) Neem oil processing and standardisation. In Neem. In: Randhawa .S., Parmar B.S., editors. Society of Pesticide Science, India. second ed. pp. 111–118

  • Wang J, Li J, Cao J, Jiang W (2010) Antifungal activities of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel extracts on postharvest diseases in fruits. Afr J Microbiol Res 4(11):1100-1104

  • Zanuncio JC, Mourão SA, Martínez LC, Wilcken CF, Ramalho FS, Plata-Rueda A, Soares MA, Serrão JE (2016) Toxic effects of the neem oil (Azadirachta indica) formulation on the stink bug predator, Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Sci Rep 6:30261. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30261

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to the department of chemistry, University of Rwanda-College of Science and Technology for their diverse support. Special thanks go to Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), through International Science Program (ISP), University of Uppsala, Sweden, for partial funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Rwanda-College of Science and Technology, P.O Box 3900, Kigali, Rwanda

    Gratien Habarurema, Janvier Habinshuti, Brigitte Mukarunyana, Colores Uwamariya, Jean Claude Safari & Jean Bernard Ndayambaje

Authors
  1. Gratien Habarurema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Janvier Habinshuti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brigitte Mukarunyana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Colores Uwamariya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jean Claude Safari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jean Bernard Ndayambaje
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gratien Habarurema.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Declaration

We declare that the manuscript is our own original work and has never been submitted anywhere for publication.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Habarurema, G., Habinshuti, J., Mukarunyana, B. et al. Activity assay of neem products as pest antifeedant in agro-biodiversity. Int J Trop Insect Sci 42, 109–115 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00523-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00523-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation