Azadirachta Indica
Family :Meliaceae
Common Name : Neem
English Name : Neem
Hindi Name : Neem,Balnimb,Nim,
Veppam,Nind,Vempu
Telugu Name : Vepa
Bengali Name : Nimgach,Nim
Tree Characteristics :
Moderate to large sized, evergreen (usually) tree with dense rounded crown, attaining a height of up to 15 to 20 m with a bole of 7 m. It is said to grow ‘almost anywhere’ in the lowland tropics. Under natural conditions, it does not grow gregariously. Adult A. indica tolerates some frost, but seedlings are more sensitive. It quickly dies in waterlogged soils. A. indica requires large amounts of light, but it tolerates fairly heavy shade during the 1st few years.
Nursery Practice :
Fruits are collected in ventilated containers (cotton bags, gunny bags, woven plastic bags, etc.) should be taken to the processing unit as quickly as possible. De-pulped and air-dried seeds do not require any pre-sowing treatment. Hower, soaking in warm/cold water for 48 hrs improves germination. Depulped, dried seeds are sown in raised nursery beds in lines, 15 to 20 cms a part, seeds 2.5 to 5.0 cms a part in the line and 1 cm deep. Seedlings of 7 to 10 cms tall are produced in 2 to 3 months but are usually pricked out to polythene bags where they are retained for 1 to 2 years.
Economic Uses :
Every part of the tree from its roots, trunk, bark, flowers, fruits, seeds, sap and gum are known to have some use and have a place in the traditional folklore and medicine. Seeds yield margosa oil which is used in soap manufacture. Kernels contain azadirachtin. Azadirachtin has numerous uses including pesticidal activity.
Timber: The wood is, nevertheless, used to make wardrobes, bookcases and closets, as well as packing cases because its insect repellent quality helps to protect the contents from insect damage.
Gum or resin: An exudate can be tapped from the trunk by wounding the bark. This high-protein material has potential
Medicine: Neem has proved effective against certain fungi that infect humans. Various parts of A. indica have anthelmintic, antiperiodic, antiseptic, diuretic and purgative actions, and are also used to treat boils, pimples, eye diseases, hepatitis, leprosy, rheumatism, scrofula, ringworm and ulcers. Leaf teas are used to treat malaria. Neem oil is a powerful spermicide and can therefore be used as an inexpensive birth control method. A neem oil-based product, Sensal, is being marketed in India as an intravaginal contraceptive. Neem oil has been used traditionally as a topical treatment for skin symptoms in both humans and livestock, but it should not be ingested orally.
