Physico-chemical characteristics of vermiwash obtained from Azadirachta indica leaves and its potential applicability as a biopesticide against short-horned grasshoppers

Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem) products have multifunctional purposes in the area of medicine and plant amendment against pests and pathogens. The study was undertaken in University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus with focused on the physiochemical features of vermiwash released from neem and its in-situ biopesticidal efficacy on the short-horned grasshopper. Vermicompost and vermiwash were produced using neem and paddy straw in cow manure. The results indicated that vermicompost from paddy comprised higher quantities of N (0.63±0.01%), K (1.7±0.01%), and Ca (2.78±2.3%) and no significant difference in the amount of P and a more stable pH (6.84) as compared with vermicompost resulting from neem leaves. Moreover, in vermiwash neem leaves, vermiwash indicated a higher amount of P (1.68±0.05) and Mn (3.99±0.35) while vermiwash from paddy straw inclined to increased amounts of Fe (4.75±0.15) and N (0.95±0.29). There was no mortality on the short-horned grasshopper when exposed to neem extract but resulted in reduced motility. Therefore, as the results indicated, vermicompost and vermiwash are vital applications to plants to enhance their growth.