A Review on the Insecticidal Activity of Neem Extracts (Azadirachtin) and its Current Status of Practical use in Korea

摘要

As a tropical plant, the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been used for a long time for disease and pest control and medical purposes. In this paper, we reviewed for the active ingredient of neem, the mode of action of azadirachtin in terms of insect growth regulation, repellent, feeding inhibition and oviposition against plant pests. And also we reviewed the current status of practical use in Korea. Among 57 products of neem-based eco-friendly organic agricultural materials distributed in Korea, seven products were certified for ffieir efficacy. The average azadirachtin content of the seven products was 0.38, which was 5.5 times less than the average content of 2.1 distributed worldwide. In the control effect on neem products in Korea, it showed some variation on aphids, but most showed a control effect of more than 90. The treatment effects of Lycorma delicatula nymphs were 73-77, and the control effects for thrips were obtained in the range of 50-72 mortality. The mortality effects against bug and moth species were generally low. It is expected that this review would provide important information necessary for the understanding of distributed neem products and the interpretation of experimental data.