Neem Cake Fertilizer in Agriculture

Introduction:

Every farmer wants to produce more crops and increase sales in his farm. Imagine a solution that could boost yield while being eco-friendly and harmless to crops. But what if I told you that there is indeed something of that sort? Are you wondering what it could be? 

The answer is“neem cake fertilizers,” and it is an absolutely trustworthy solution. It is made from the neem seed kernels that you obtain after extracting neem oil. This completely natural manure provides the necessary nutrients while repelling harmful pests, thus protecting the soil. 

With the increasing awareness among the farming community, more farmers are now opting for sustainable farming practices. Therefore, neem cake fertilizer is also gaining importance in our country. 

The dual nature of it makes neem cake fertilizer for plants an excellent choice for improving the soil fertility and also carrying out pest control. In this blog, we will further explore this miraculous boon from Mother Nature.

What is Neem Cake Fertilizer?

Neem cake fertilizer is obtained by cold-pressing neem seeds as a byproduct. During the oil extraction process, the leftover material is processed into a cake-like form. Expert farmers value it as both a manure and a bio-pesticide.

Its nutrient composition is highly beneficial. It contains nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in balanced proportions, along with calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, sulfur, manganese, and iron. This rich and varied organic input makes it perfect for yield improvement and plant growth. 

A completely eco-friendly, easily decomposable bio-structure that improves organic matter while enhancing the long-term soil health: that’s the true advantage of a neem cake fertilizer. With all of that and zero-residue characteristics, it is also a perfect addition to organic farming.

Benefits of Neem Cake Fertilizer

Here are the benefits of neem cake fertilizers. Have a look at this.

Enhances Soil Fertility:

Neem cake provides a slow and steady release of nutrients, thereby improving soil fertility. Chemical fertilizers are quickly washed away, but the nutrients in a neem fertilizer cake remain in the soil for a long time, ensuring healthy root development and higher crop yields. 

Natural Pest and Disease Control:

A neem cake fertilizer for plants has the ability to control soil-borne pests and pathogens. It can naturally suppress harmful organisms, such as nematodes and white ants. According to experts, neem cake can be used as a preventive measure to avoid common soil diseases.

Improves Soil Microbial Activity:

Neem cake can significantly boost the microbial activity of the soil. The beneficial bacteria and fungi can multiply faster in the presence of neem compounds. These microbes can break down organic matter and release nutrients, which results in an improved soil ecology.

Sustainable and Cost-Effective:

Neem cake is surprisingly low in cost and easily available. You can save a significant amount of money on manure and pesticides, as it serves as both a fertilizer and a pest repellent. Over time, it can reduce the need for heavy chemical fertilizers, thereby lowering overall input costs.

Neem Cake Fertilizer in Integrated Nutrient Management

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) combines organic and inorganic inputs to provide balanced plant nutrition. And neem cake perfectly fits into this approach. If you apply it with chemical fertilizers, there is a significantly slower nitrogen loss, caused by leaching or volatilization. 

This enhances fertilizer efficiency, allowing crops to absorb nutrients more effectively. Neem cake fertilizer is also an excellent carrier for urea. If you coat urea granules with neem cake, the nutrient release is prolonged and this also prevents over-absorption of urea. Hence, neem cake for plants also works as a nutrient stabilizer.

Neem Cake Fertilizer NPK Value

The NPK value (Nitrogen, Phosphorus & Potassium concentration) of a neem cake can range around 2 to 5% Nitrogen, 0.5 to 1% Phosphorus, and 1 to 2% Potassium. Additionally, it contains secondary nutrients such as magnesium and calcium, as well as micronutrients like zinc, iron, and copper.

This nutrient balance ensures that the plant receives the strength from phosphorus and potassium, along with growth-promoting effects from nitrogen. Due to the slow release of nutrients, the crops benefit steadily throughout their growth cycle. This means your plants grow healthy, with higher yields, and the soil fertility continues to rise season after season.

Neem Cake Fertilizer Uses

There are numerous uses of neem cake fertilizers in modern-day agriculture. ‘

• You can apply it directly into the soil before the sowing phase or as top dressing during the crop growth phase.
• Additionally, you can mix it with compost or manure to enrich the soil with organic matter.
• You can further use it for seed treatment. 
• Coat the seeds with neem cake powder before planting, and you can avoid the early pest attacks. 
• Neem cake is also used in potted plants for horticulture and in nurseries in order to prevent soil infections, which ultimately ensures healthy sapling growth. 
• Organic kitchen gardens rely on neem cake because it ensures chemical-free produce.

Neem Cake Fertilizer for Different Crops

Cereals (Wheat, Rice, Maize)

In cereals, the neem cake ensures a steady release of nutrients while also improving soil structure. It can also reduce nitrogen loss and provide enhanced tillering in wheat and rice. You can observe stronger roots and higher grain yield after neem cake application.

Vegetables (Tomato, Brinjal, Okra)

Vegetables are easily affected by soil-borne diseases and nematode attacks. This is where neem cake comes in, helping in naturally suppress these pests. Furthermore, It improves the nutrient uptake, which results in better fruit setting, a longer shelf life and vibrant eye-pleasing colors.

Plantation Crops (Sugarcane, Cotton, Coffee, Tea)

Sugarcane and cotton are long-duration crops that need a steady and prolonged release of nutrients. That is exactly what neem cake provides. It also improves disease resistance while reducing pest damage. In tea and coffee plantations, neem cake boosts microbial activity while also enhancing the soil’s organic matter.

Conclusion

Neem cake fertilizer is an organic and sustainable solution that can enrich the soil, improve yield, while also control pests. By reducing chemical dependence, it can benefit crops like cereals, vegetables, and plantation crops like tea & coffee. With a growing demand in organic farming, the neem cake ensures a possibility of eco-friendly agriculture and long-term profitability of the farm. It achieves all this while naturally improving soil health.