Neem as an effective biocontrol agent for tea pests

Abstract

Chemicalisation of agriculture in general and tea in particular results in chemical residues in the finished product. Due to stringent MRL values fixed for various pesticides in made tea, and the difficulties in marketing of such produce, chemicalisation of tea cultivation is now getting reduced. Diversification of tea-based produce as value added therapeutics and cosmetics is also paving way for organic tea farming. This situation necessitated introducing nature's friendly methods of tea cultivation with 'ecofriendly' products as a major input for plant protection and production. Neem with its multiple biological effects, like antifeedant, repellent, oviposition deterrent, growth regulation and its environment-friendly nature, is a handy tool to control insect pests in tea. The present article is focused on the positive role of neem and its derivatives in controlling tea pests in an ecofriendly way.