Controlled release formulation of oiled neem cake for insect pest management

Oiled neem cake is a by-product of oil extraction from neem seeds and contains about 6–8% oil. This is generally used as organic fertilizer in many horticulture crops. Several studies have shown that soil application of oiled neem cake is useful in reducing many insect pests. This is generally applied at very high doses ranging from 250–1000 t/ha. Hence, there is a need to reduce the requirement of oiled neem cake. Therefore, Controlled Release Formulation of oiled neem cake was developed by using pectin, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose polymerisation cross-linked with gluteraldehyde. Soil application of this formulation was found to be superior to oiled neem cake in reducing thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) and aphid (Aphis craccivora) in net house cultivated capsicum. This formulation was further tested at different doses against okra shoot and fruit borer Earias vittella as compared to oiled neem cake and sprays of indoxacarb, a standard insecticide and was found effective. This study shows that there is great potential to use controlled release formulation of oiled neem cake for managing insect pests as a component of IPM instead of oiled neem cake.