Neem Seed Cake

Neem cake or Neem kernel cake is the bye product obtained when neem seed kernels are crushed for their oil. Indian farmers utilise neem seed cake traditionally as an organic fertiliser in their fields, especially for vegetables. The omnipotent activity of Neem cake as fertilizer, pest repellent, soil amendment, denitrified has made it a favoured organic input in modern agriculture.
Certain neem manufacturers utilise the rejected whole neem fruit to crush into cakes without extracting oil. This may contain more neem oil but has a low fertiliser value with a NPK percentage as low as 2/0,5/0,5. The neem seed cake proposed by BIO NEEM is obtained from inner seed kernels and their NPK content is as high as 6/3/3.

Neem seed cake as an organic fertiliser
Neem cake is used as an organic fertilizer in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture. It is the best choice for those who produce certified organic products. It decomposes slowly and acts as a slow release fertiliser so as to make available the nutrients during the critical phases of the crop.
Advantages

•  Organic and completely bio-degradable.
• It can be mixed with different types of organic or inorganic fertilizers and increases the efficiency .
• Neem seed cake proposed by BIO NEEM is free from heavy metals
  
• It is a slow release fertiliser and thereby cost-efficient. and it remains effective until the next crop is planted.
• Neem cakes can also improve the organic content of the soil by providing lots of micro and macronutrients. Here below the nutrient value of our neem seed cake :

Azadiractin :Min1000ppm
Nimbin : Min 850ppm
Salanin :Min 1500ppm

Nitrogen : Min 5,5%
Phosphorus :Min 1.75%
Potassium :Min 1.75%
PH : 3-4 EC(dS/m) :2.2

Calcium :Min 0.65%
Copper :12(mg/Kg)
Iron :660(mg/kg)
Sulphur : 1.17%
Sodium :7,56(mg/Kg)
Magnesium :Min 0.43%
Sulphate :12,8(mg/Kg)
Silica :0,94%
Zinc :51(mg/kg)
Manganese : 18(mg/kg)

Neem seed cake as a soil amendment
Neem seed cake helps to improve the organic content and texture of the soil. It keeps the soil aerated for root development. Neem seed cake applied soils have been proved to have more water holding capability. During decomposition, neem seed cake releases organic acids and thereby reduces the alkaline content in the soil.

Neem seed cake as a nematicide and soil pesticide
Neem seed cake contains nortriterpenoids and isoprenoids which attributes to its nematicidal properties. During decompositions in the soil, its fatty acids, Ketones, aldehydes, Amino acids, free sulphur and carbohydrates. affect the metabolism of the nematodes. Also, it will increase the microbes that show antagonistic effects against nematodes.
Neem cake contains salannin, nimbin and azadirachtin and acts as a soil insecticide. When ploughed into the soil it also protects plant roots from soil-based pathogens and insects like white ants.

Neem seed cake as denitrifying agent
When Neem Cake is mixed with urea and other nitrogenous fertilisers, it increases their efficiency by reducing its nitrification in the soil. So, nitrogen is fixed or releases slowly in the soil. The triterpenes in the neem reduce the activity of Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas, the bacterial population responsible for the loss of Nitrogen from Urea.

Neem seed cake increase the bio-flora of the soil
Research studies have confirmed that the application of neem seed cake increases the earthworm population in the soil. Neem is also compatible with the beneficial microbes and improves the rhizosphere microflora and thereby the soil fertility.

Dosage
Neem Cake can be safely applied safely in all cultures, fruit-bearing, garden products, Melon, cotton, tobacco, Vineyard and Flowers.
How to use?

• As a basal application during ploughing, 750 – 1000 kg of neem seed cake can be applied per hectare. The dosage can be even increased to 1500 kg if the soil or crop is prone to nematodes.
• A subsequent top dressing of around 75 kg per ha during the critical phases of the crops
• For kitchen gardens, nurseries apply around 1 kg per plot of 10 to 15 sq. meter.
• For bushes, trees (example for horticultural plants) apply 200 to 500 gms per pit or around a tree.
• For pots, based on the size add 25 – 50 g of neem seed cake. It rejuvenates the exhausted soil.