The different appélation of the Neem tree: Acacia of Egypt, tree with rosaries, Lilac of India because of its purple flowers (not to be confused with the Lagerstrémie, Lagerstroemia indica, also nicknamed Lilac of India); Neem tree, Indian lilac, Margosa tree, Persian lilac or China berry (in English). Vernacular names: Nim, Neem, Balnimb (Hindu), Nimba (Sanskrit), Vepu, Vempu, Veppam (Tamil), Vepa (Telugu), Limba (Gujarat). Its name means «who cures all diseases».

Rainfall between 400 and 1200mm, can settle for less if the water table level is high enough. It adapts to sandy or well-drained soils, pH 6.2-7.0 . but also to poor soils. Temperatures favourable to its development on average: 21°C to 32°C. It tolerates very high temperatures, but not below 4°C.

At maturity, the Neem tree can produce up to 50kg of fruit, which is equivalent to 30kg of seeds. These are the main source of compounds with insecticidal properties, including azadirachtin. However, the amount of azadirachtin contained in seeds varies considerably depending on climatic conditions, soil conditions and tree genotype (Ermel 1986; Singh 1986).

Foliar fertilization consists of spraying fertilizers directly on the foliage of plants. The effect of this type of fertilization is very fast because nutrients are immediately assimilated and used by plants. Foliar fertilization is particularly useful after moments of stress (transplantation, hail, wind, cold, heat, drought) or in case of severe deficiency of a nutrient. It is mainly used as supplemental fertilization and can solve a short-term deficiency problem. For a longer-term solution, it is important to address the cause of the imbalance.

Arthropods (Arthropoda) — from the Greek arthron “joint” and podos “foot”, also called “articulated” — form a branch of invertebrate animals. The body of arthropods consists of articulated segments (or metamers), covered by a rigid cuticle, which constitutes their external skeleton, in most cases consisting of chitin. The branch of arthropods is by far the one with the most species and the most individuals of all the animal kingdom. On compte plus d’un million et demi d’espèces actuelles d’arthropodes.is displayed. Feel free to edit this with your actual content.

A plant protection product ovicide is an active substance or preparation capable of preventing the evolution of eggs, killing the embryo. In crop protection against pests, the knowledge of the ovicidal characteristics of the applied plant protection products and the date of the beginning of laying, allow to reason the use of insecticides and acaricides.

A larvicide phytosanitary product is an active substance or preparation that has the property of killing larvae. In crop protection against pests, knowledge of the larvicid characteristics of plant protection products and the date of the onset of larvae, allow to reason the use of insecticides and acaricides.

Usual mode of medical treatment that fights the disease using drugs that have an opposite effect to pathological phenomena.

Biopiracy is the appropriation of the biological resources of a country or a population for commercial purposes. It is mainly practiced by the countries of the North to the detriment of those of the South, through the filing of patents on genes or species, which guarantee to their holders the exclusivity of the profits related to the commercialization of the products derived from them.

Plants producing semiochemical compounds, that is, substances causing a physiological or behavioral response of individuals of the same or other species. In our case, the action is targeted on insect pests. We also call biocides products used on humans (anti-lice shampoo, insecticide lotion, etc.) in contrast to insecticides used only for phytosanitary purposes.

Oil obtained by cold pressing of neem seeds, the product is not purified unlike azadirachtin extract (=essential oil) which is obtained by distillation, extraction in aqueous or organic phase and contains much more active ingredient.

Same process as cold pressure except that the grinding of the seeds is heated before going to press, it allows to obtain, after filtration, a crude oil in greater quantity but less concentrated in active principles.

The insecticide is conveyed by the sap of the plant treated either by sprinkling or by injection as part of silviculture. This method of treatment is very effective for insects feeding on the sap of the plant (scale insects, aphids, etc.)