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A PRODUCT OF NATURE'S LABORATORY
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Hawaii state senate passed resolution supporting research and development of this vital tree. East-West center in Honolulu, Hawaii planted several trees. Because the tree is a tropical species it is difficult to
grow in USA except Florida, Arizona, Texas, Hawaii etc. More than 70,000 Neem Trees have been planted in Florida, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Australian government spent millions of dollars to plant Neem trees (seedlings from India) on thousands of acres to meet the domestic demand 15 to 20 years from now.. A century or two ago Indian immigrants introduced Neem Trees in Caribbean Nations. The tree is now grown in Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, etc. on a large scale. Haiti planted 200,000 Neem Trees (thru USAID program). A century or two ago British and Indian Immigrants took NEEM TREE to Africa.
The World Bank has Board of Science and Technology for International Development which has special division for NEEM TREE. Germany is most leading country for research on Neem Tree products (for medicinal and agricultural use). There is tremendous research going on in India, Germany and USA.
Azitin, Turplex, Align, Margosan, BioNeem, Benefit, etc. are the trade names of Neem based products available in United State's market.
Mosquitoes are parasite. They feed on warm blood of humans and animals. They are carriers of viruses. They have trunk (like a hollow needle) which they use to suck the blood from the host (directly from the blood stream of the host). In that process they leave viruses behind (as contaminants) directly in the blood of the host.
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Use of NEEM products in Asia and Africa for centuries.
The word globalization might have hit your ears only 5 years ago but it existed since the evolution of mankind (Neanderthals). Europe panicked when their route to Asia was cut off thru suede canal and Columbus discovered America in that process.
Neem's antimalarial activity is reported in AYURVEDA as far back as 2000.B.C.
LEAVES AND BARK - Use to smoke which drives away the mosquitoes. In India there are more than 10 products made and sold for this market. Some toothpastes in Europe (for instance Dr. Scheller's Duromed in Germany) and India contains extract of Neem bark. Powdered Neem leaves are used as a component of various cosmetics (India) and extracts of leaves for hair and skin lotions in Germany (Wal-Heilmittel Gmbh).
NEEM LEAVES EXTRACT - Malaria infects about 100 million people per year and is asking about 2 million lives per year (in Asia and Africa). Now the malaria is developing resistance to long used effective quinine based drugs like chloroquin, etc. World Health Organization is finding answer in Neem leaf tea and Neem leaves extract.
NEEM SEED OIL - Added to kerosene in lamps to chase away mosquitoes. Used to make candles (in Burma). In India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bengladesh people use Neem oil in hair to kill lice. It cures maggots.
TWIGS - Millions of people in Asia and Africa use Neem twig as toothbrush. Dentists in India have endorsed this ancient practice, finding it effective in preventing periodontal disease.
NEEM EXTRACT - About 200 million people in South America are infected with CHAGA'S diseases (cripples human limbs like hands, legs, etc.). Research in Germany and Brazil (Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) indicated the cure of the diseases with Neem extract.
WOOD - used as a fuel and in furniture. The wood is insect resistant but is brittle and hard to work with plus is too fibrous.
Azadirechta Indica. The tree grows to a height of 50 to 100 feet. Contains >100 very complex chemicals which are very difficult to synthesize in laboratories or in production plants (only nature's laboratory can manufacture). Modern research techniques can only identify them and work will continue to do so for next several decades. Understanding "NEEM PRODUCTS" fully may be not as complex as putting a man on moon but close to it.
They are alkaloids (large number of constituents, large complex structures, heterocyclic rings, etc.). They are present in extremely minute quantities (like 0.01 to 0.001%) and are very effective.
Organic nitrogen is the most important essential element in plant nutrition and is in short supply in cultivated soils (due to loss by volatilization, nitrification process, etc.). This organic nitrogen eventually finds its way to humans and animals to build amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, amines, amides, etc. as building blocks.
SYNTHETIC NITROGEN FERTILIZERS
Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3) - This fertilizer is history because of environmental restrictions in it's manufacture.
Ammonium Sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] - Makes soil acidic, low nitrogen content, etc. High acidity start to break down clay producing soluble aluminum which is toxic to plants. It requires liming to neutralize the acidity (10 pounds of ammonium sulfate needs 10 pounds of lime called calcium carbonate).
Sodium Nitrate [NaNO3] - Low in nitrogen content.
Calcium Nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] - Low in nitrogen content.
|
|
Ammonium Nitrate |
Ammonium Sulfate |
Sodium Nitrate |
Calcium Nitrate |
Urea |
|
Molecular weight |
80 |
132 |
85 |
164 |
60 |
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% Nitrogen Calculated |
35 |
21 |
10.6 |
17.0 |
46.6 |
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% Nitrogen Fertilizer Grade |
33.5 |
21 |
10.5 |
15.5 |
45-46 |
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Actual(*) Nitrogen |
<< 33.5 |
<< 21.0 |
<< 10.5 |
<< 15.5 |
<<<45.0 |
(*) - depending upon type of soil, PH, water content, other minerals, temperature, etc.
UREA - Organic
urea (urine, manure, etc.) was recognized
>200 years ago.
COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS MANURES AND WASTE MATERIALS (in general).
Data from Michigan State University and Kansas State University.
|
|
Dry % |
N % |
K % |
P ppm |
Ca ppm |
Mg ppm |
S ppm |
Fe ppm |
Zn ppm |
Cu ppm |
Mn ppm |
B Ppm |
|
Beef Manure |
32.0 |
0.71 |
0.74 |
2830 |
5275 |
2675 |
|
6001 |
45 |
|
|
|
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Liquid Poultry Manure |
8.1
|
0.16 |
0.24 |
180 |
624 |
157 |
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0.5 |
1.6 |
0.2 |
1.3 |
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Liquid Swine Manure |
2.6 |
0.9 |
0.07 |
239 |
58
|
178 |
|
1.2 |
32 |
1.4 |
3.7 |
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Liquid Dairy Manure |
8.6 |
0.24 |
0.19 |
210 |
406 |
248 |
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7.8 |
2.9 |
0.3 |
2.1 |
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Dairy Cattle Manure |
21 |
0.56 |
0.50 |
1000
|
2800 |
1100 |
500 |
400 |
15 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
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Sheep Manure |
35 |
1.4 |
1.0 |
2100 |
5850 |
1850 |
900 |
160 |
25 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
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Swine Manure |
25 |
0.5 |
0.38 |
1400 |
5700 |
800 |
1350 |
280 |
60 |
5 |
20 |
40 |
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Poultry Manure |
46 |
1.56 |
0.35 |
4000 |
37000 |
2900 |
3100 |
465 |
90 |
15 |
90 |
60 |
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Activated Sewer Sludge |
100 |
5.56 |
0.36 |
25860 |
13000 |
5600 |
9800 |
56000 |
2500 |
916 |
134 |
33 |
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Lagoon Sewer Sludge |
100 |
1.71 |
0.23 |
18750 |
111470 |
996 |
15000 |
32000 |
2750 |
775 |
440 |
7
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ppm = Parts per million. Values change with change in variables. CAUTION - Animal manure does not have organic nitrogen available in first year. It must be allowed to process composition process) for a year. Sewer Sludge is available in several states in USA. However the government is increasingly tightening the regulations requiring extensive processing which results in loss of vital nutrients.
COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS ORGANIC FERTILIZERS (in general).
Data from Ohio State University.
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ORGANIC FERTILIZERS |
Nitrogen (N) % |
Phosphorus (P) % |
Potassium (K) % |
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Nitrogen (N) % |
Phosphorus (P) % |
Potassium (K) % |
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BULKY ORGANIC MATERIALS |
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ORGANIC CONCENTRATES |
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Alfaalfa Hay |
2.5 |
0.2 |
1.7 |
Animal Tankage |
9.0 |
4.4 |
1.3 |
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Alfaalfa Straw |
1.5 |
0.1 |
1.3 |
Bat Guano
|
10.0 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
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Bean Straw |
1.2 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
Bone Meal |
4.0 |
10.1 |
0 |
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Cotton Bolls |
1.0 |
0.1 |
3.3 |
Castor Pomace |
6.0 |
0.8 |
0.4 |
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Grain Straw |
0.6 |
0.1 |
0.9 |
Cocoa Shell Meal |
2.5 |
0.7 |
2.1 |
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Hog Manure |
2.0 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
Cotton Seed Meal |
6.0 |
1.1 |
2.3 |
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Horse Manure |
1.7 |
0.3 |
1.5 |
Dried Blood |
13.0 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
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Cattle Manure |
2.0 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
Fish Meal |
10.0 |
2.6 |
0 |
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Poultry Manure |
4.3 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
Fish Scrap |
5.0 |
1.3 |
0 |
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Sheep Manure |
4.0 |
0.6 |
2.9 |
Garbage Tankage |
2.5 |
0.7 |
2.3 |
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Olive Pomace |
1.2 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
Hoof and Horn Meal |
12.0 |
0.9 |
0 |
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Peanut Hulls |
1.5 |
0.1 |
0.7 |
Sewage Sludge |
5.0 |
2.2 |
0.4 |
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Peat and Muck |
2.3 |
0.2 |
0.6 |
Soybean Meal |
7.0 |
0.5 |
2.3 |
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Saw Dust and Wood Shavings |
0.2 |
0.0 |
0.2 |
Steamed Bone Meal |
.8 |
13 |
0 |
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Seaweeds (kelp) |
0.6 |
0.0 |
1.1 |
Tobacco Dust and Stems |
1.5 |
0.2 |
4.2 |
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Timothy Hay |
1.0 |
0.1 |
1.3 |
Wood Ashes |
0 |
0.9 |
5.0 |
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Winery Pomace |
1.6 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
Wood Wastes |
7.5 |
0 |
0 |
NOTE - If you have wood chimney, do not throw away the ashes but add it to the planting soils.
ppm = Parts per million. Values change with change in variables. CAUTION - Animal manure does not have organic nitrogen available in first year. It must be allowed to decompose for a year. Also, the fresh manure contains E-Coli and takes about a year to make E-coli free manure. Sewer Sludge is available in several states in USA. However the government is increasingly tightening the regulations requiring extensive processing which results in loss of vital nutrients.
UREA Synthetic urea achieved in 20th century.
Synthetic urea contains biuret impurity. Biuret is very toxic to plants. It used to be very high and varied from manufacturer to manufacturer, batch to batch, etc. Then government established limit of 0.2% biuret. Does this work ? Its up to you to figure out.
MONOUREA - It hydrolyses too fast (decomposes, break down, etc.) in presence of water. Large amounts of available nitrogen at one period in time may lead to luxury nitrogen consumption by plants, which represents absorption without increased growth.
To slow down the solubility of urea
(A) Urea is condensed with other chemicals.
UREAFORMALDEHYDE - Urea is condensed with formaldehyde. This drops % of nitrogen to 35-38% (actual nitrogen ? ). People are scared of formaldehyde (for good reason). Formaldehyde is a cancer suspect. To hide from the public, the manufacturers call it UreaForm.
IBDU (Isobutylidenediurea), CDU (crotonylidene) - In Japan and Europe urea is condensed with Isobutylidene to form IBDU or crotonylidene to form CDU. This drops % of Nitrogen from 45% to 32% (actual nitrogen?).
(B) Polymerization - Monourea is dimerized or trimerized (lower solubility at added cost plus reduced nitrogen content).
(C) Coating: 2 - chloro- 6 - (trichloromethyl) - pyridine called Nitrapyrin is manufactured and marketed by Dow Chemicals in USA. Potassium Azide (KN3) is produced in Japan and is widely used in Japan and Europe. Disadvantages includes higher cost, synthetic chemical (unnatural) and effect is temporary.
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SOLUTION (Organic Approach) - Coat 100 pounds of urea with Neem Oil (2% Neem oil in nonaqueous solvents like petroleum ether, etc.) and mix it with 20 to 30 pounds of powdered Neem Oil Cake. You will get slower decomposition of urea, decreased nitrification, higher and healthier crop. |
NEEM PRODUCTS FOR AGRICULTURAL USE:
NEEM SEED OIL:
Neem seeds contains about 45% oil. The oil is VEGETABLE TYPE OIL composed primarily of glycerides (80 to 95%) and free fatty acids (4 to 20%). It is bio-degradable natural plant material. It has no phytotoxicity (damaging properties to the plant tissues) in lower ranges (like 1 to 3%). It damages crops in higher concentrations (>5% but again it depends upon crops).
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF NEEM OIL (in general).
|
FATTY ACIDS |
% |
GLYCERIDES |
% |
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Palmitic Acid |
14.9 |
Fully Saturated Glycerides |
0.6 |
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Stearic Acid |
14.4 |
Tri-unsaturated Glycerides |
22.0 |
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Arachidic Acid |
1.3 |
Stearodiolein |
34 |
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Oleic Acid |
61.9 |
Palmitodiolein |
26 |
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Linoleic Acid |
7.5 |
Oleopalmitostearin |
12 |
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Oleodipalmitin |
5 |
| All India Nonedible oils and Soap Industries, India |
EMULSIFICATION - It is hydrophobic (insoluble in water) in nature. The oil needs to be emulsified. Soap (Sodium salt of fatty acids) is an excellent low cost emulsifier. Method used in India for centuries - Add 10 grams (gms) or milliliters (ml) to one quart of water. Stir it well and then add to it 10 grams of the neem oil with continuous stirring. There are two widely organic emulsifying agents - Lecithin and soap. Lecithin - Ashland Chemicals, Inc. and Van Waters and Rogers, Inc; sells lecithin. They have distributors nationwide. There are two grades - industrial and food grade. As a general rule food grade compounds cost much higher than industrial grades. Here one does not need food grade. Lecithin is all natural and organic. Add lecithin to water then add Neem oil. Lecithin contains nitrogen and phosphorus which it puts back into the soil.
Soap is easy, quick and cheaper in price. All one has to do is to call spouse or kids and gets it within moments. Soap also thins water (reduces surface tension of water) which is good for roots (for intake). One can even make soap (Neem Soap) from Neem Oil to use it as an emulsifier.
Caution: It is oil in water emulsion. This means do not add soap to oil and then add soapy oil to water. Add soap to water then add oil in soapy water.
Stabilizer - Add 0.2 to 0.3% tannic acid as a stabilizer (antioxidant). What is tannin ? Tannins are complex phenolic substances obtained from bark, roots, leaves, woods and fruits of plants. They are used in medicines, dying textiles, tanning leathers, ink manufacturing, etc. Note that tea contains tannin (catechol) which is an excellent antioxidant (anticancer activity). Food grade tannic acid is much higher in price so use tannic acid industrial grade. Idea for small users and tea drinkers - Save your used tea bags. It still contains lots of tannin. Open those used tea bags and boil it in water. Let the water cool down and use it to make emulsion.
Synergizer - Add equal amount (based on total of Neem oil and Pyrethrum) of sesame oil.
Soap is a mixture of fatty acid salts such as these:
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CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2 |
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CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2 |
|
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CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH==CHCH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2 |
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Diagram showing the orientation of
an emulsifying agent in an oil-in
-water emulsion |
Forces acting on molecules in the
interior and on the surface. |
CAUTION: Stable emulsion is oil in water (not water in oil). This means add soap (emulsifying agent ) to water and then add neem oil in soapy water. Do not add soap to the oil and then add or add it to water.
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Wrong way. |
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Right way. |
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COMMERCIAL FORMULATIONS WORLDWIDE |
NEEM
OIL |
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If it is nonaqueous, it is diluted in lots of chemical solvents like Glycol Ether, Propyl Gallate Benzophenone, Petroleum ethers, Acetone, diethyl ether, etc. |
It is virgin unprocessed natural oil. |
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If it is aqueous, it is diluted with water. Now water based products go bad in storage / shelf. So they stabilize with numerous chemicals for their individual functionality. For example addition of Paraben, Octylgallate is required to avoid microbial spoilage in shelf life. |
It is virgin unprocessed natural oil. Add soap water to it just before application and is ready to go. |
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Price is about $65 to $140 / Quart for 2 to 5% solution |
Price is about $40 / Gallon for 100% oil. |
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Synthetic and does not qualify for ORGANIC FARMING. |
All natural. Qualifies 100% for ORGANIC FARMING. |
APPLICATION: Most complex and effective ingredients are very sensitive to PH, UV, Heat, etc. In summer 2 application of 2 to 3% solution per week is recommended. In rainy season 2 to 3 applications per week is recommended. Application should be carried out in early morning or late in the evening to avoid damage by UV and heat. CAUTION: Higher concentration solution to reduce the frequency of the application is not the same thing and may affect the crop negatively.
SOAP [Formulations from "Home Made Soap from Khadi (home spun cotton textile) and Gramodyog (meaning rural village industries) Commission, India"].
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Components |
# A |
# B |
# C |
# D |
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NEEM OIL |
30 |
35 |
30 |
20 |
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Soft oil or any acid oil |
60 |
50 |
55 |
65 |
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Rosin |
- |
7 |
7 |
10 |
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Castor Oil |
10 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
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Caustic Soda (34 degree Be) |
35 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
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Soap Stone (talc) |
1 |
10 |
20 |
30 |
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Silicate |
5 |
7 |
20 |
20 |
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Soda Ash |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
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Salt |
- |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Contribution of NEEM oil in Soaps - Medium solubility, medium hardness, high detergency, much leather, cosmetic, insect repellant and medicinal value.
Organic, Pure Natural, Biodegradable, Nontoxic.
A crop booster, Soil Preserver / Soil Amendment, Efficiency booster for fertilizers, Supplementary role, Nitrification inhibitor, Denitrification agent, Leaching Reducer.
A TYPICAL ANALYSIS OF NEEM OIL CAKE (in general)
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Ca (calcium) |
0.96% |
Cu (Copper) |
19 PPM |
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P (Phosphorus) |
0.44% |
Zn (Zinc) |
19 PPM |
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Na (Sodium) |
0.40% |
Fe (Iron) |
2705 PPM |
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K (Potassium) |
0.98% |
Co (cobalt) |
1.5 PPM |
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N (nitrogen) |
Varies by decomposition process |
Mn (Manganese) |
70 PPM |
Neem Oil cake puts vital minerals back into the soil.
Vermicompost is much better than chemical fertilizers
and pesticides, says Balkrishna Kathalkar.
COMPOSITION OF NEEM OIL CAKE (in general)
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Crude protein |
13-35% |
Fat |
2 - 13% |
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Carbohydrate |
26-50% |
Ash |
5-18% |
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Crude Fiber |
8-26% |
Acid - Insoluble Ash |
1-17% |
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ALKALINE OR BASIC |
NEUTRAL |
ACIDIC |
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14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8 |
7.0 |
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 |
Roots burn in highly acidic or alkaline environment. Urea in water hydrolyses (decomposes, break down) too quickly. This causes instantaneous high alkalinity. Although it is short lived, it is long enough to severely damage or kill the roots. So too much urea can reduce the crop. On the other hand slowing down of urea's decomposition process can be very beneficial.
Synthetic fertilizers like Ammonium Sulfate, Urea, Ammonium Phosphate, etc. decompose and give out nitrogen too much in too short time for plant roots to consume and grow (Its like month supply of 10 gallon milk is used up in 2 days by a family of 5). Secondly excess of nitrogen is wasted in air (unused). Thirdly decomposition of synthetic fertilizer gives quick ammonia which kills parasites living on roots.
However, they multiply in trillions in no time. Fourthly nitrogen of ammonical radical ( N of NH4+) is
oxidized to nitrates and nitrites (NO3-, NO2-) which ruins the land, drinking water, etc. (scenario similar
to acid rains of Midwestern states' chemical smokes from coal fueled plants like sulfer (S), sulfer dioxide (SO2), etc. which turns into sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in atmospheric humidity (H2)) and it's devastating effects vast forests of Northeastern USA called New England and Southeastern Canada).
NEEM OIL CAKE decomposes slowly giving steady source of nitrogen along with aldehyde, fatty acids, tannins and phenol helps roots to keep growing and keeps the parasites (that feeds on roots) in check. If you are familiar with supplements of vitamins and trace minerals and positive effects of herbs in human lives, this is the herb for the plants.
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CROP |
UREA (Kg or 2.2 pounds/ Hactre or 2.2 acres) In Kg. (2.2 pounds) |
Neem Oil cake In Kg (2.2 pounds) |
Yeild increased Compared to urea alone. % |
Comments |
|
Rice |
50 |
15 |
+12% |
|
|
|
100 |
30 |
+2 |
Ratio of the urea to Neem oil cake same but too much fertilizer. |
|
|
75 |
22 |
+1 |
." |
|
|
0 |
33 |
+12 |
Neem cake as a sole organic fertilizer. |
|
Corn |
130 |
26 |
+24 |
|
|
|
260 |
52 |
+12 |
Too much fertilizer. |
|
Potato |
163 |
20 |
+16 |
|
|
|
270 |
20 |
+9 |
Too much urea. |
|
Sugar Cane |
880 |
264 |
+15 |
|
FACTS: Long ago farmers were storing liquid ammonia (in closed tanks under pressure). They injected liquid ammonia into the ground. The problem was / is inefficiency. Liquid ammonia under pressure turns into gaseous ammonia when injected into the soil (a practice still exists in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, etc.). The benefits are short lasing. Ammonia source from solid materials (like urea, Ammonium Sulfate, etc.) last longer but destroys soil, affects water beds and still there is loss of nitrogen. Neem Oil cake is step further in that crusade.
It protects soil, reduces damage to environments (water beds, etc.) and increases efficiency of synthetic fertilizers and is lower in cost plus you are putting back in what you got out.
In India farmers do take a crop of onions for a year or two to rejuvenate the soil. A yield of any crop from a land that had an onion crop increases by 20 to 30%.
