Development and Optimization of Advanced Neem-Based Botanical Insecticides for Sustainable Pest Management

Abstract

More and more people around the world want safe farming methods, which has led to the creation of effective pest control methods that use fewer manmade poisons. The goal of this study is on creating and improving new neem-based plant poisons that come from the seeds and leaves of the Azadirachta indica (neem) tree in order to make them more effective and useful for long-term pest control. Neem products have many beneficial compounds, but the main one is azadirachtin. This compound is very good at killing insects, stopping them from feeding, and controlling their growth, and it works against a lot of different crop pests. The study used a planned method to get neem compounds out of different solvents. The compounds were then tested for their ability to kill pest insects like aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars. To make neem extracts more bioavailable and stable, different formulas were created, such as emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsions, and nanoformulations. The best amounts of neem extracts, detergents, and co-formulants were found by using response surface methodology (RSM) to improve these formulas. Field tests were done in a variety of agro-ecological zones to see how well the improved neem-based poisons worked against common manmade pesticides. Things like the number of pests that died, the amount of leftover effect, and the effects on organisms that weren't the goal were measured. According to the data, the new neem formulations worked as well as or better than manufactured options. They were also less harmful to useful insects and natural elements. Additionally, the research looked at how neem products work on a molecular level, including how they affect pests' hormonal systems and how they make plants build up defenses. Neem-based poisons have the ability to not only control pest numbers but also help with integrated pest management (IPM) methods that protect wildlife and natural balance.