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UPSC Prelims 1999 · Environment · Species Watch
Neem tree has acquired industrial importance as a source of
- (a) biopesticide and antifertility compound
- (b) antifertility compound, biofertilizer and anti-cancer drug
- (c) biofertilizer, biopesticide and antifertility compound
- (d) anti-cancer drug, biopesticide and biofertilizer
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) biofertilizer, biopesticide and antifertility compound
Neem gives biofertiliser (neem cake), biopesticide (azadirachtin) and antifertility compounds (neem oil).
The idea
Every part of the neem tree is bitter because of a group of chemicals, the best known being azadirachtin. Insects that taste it stop feeding and stop growing. That one property gives neem its main industrial uses.
Seed kernel → neem oil → azadirachtin: biopesticide → Cake left after pressing oil → manure that also protects roots → Neem oil → kills sperm: studied as a contraceptive → Neem oil coating on urea → nitrogen is released slowly
Why the others are wrong
(a) Misses biofertiliser — neem cake is a common organic manure.
(b) Neem is not an established anti-cancer drug source.
(d) Neem is not an established anti-cancer drug source.
The trap
Neem is famous for “curing everything”, so anti-cancer tempts. The industrial uses are pesticide, manure and contraceptive.
Also know
A European patent on a neem-based fungicide was challenged by India as biopiracy and revoked in 2000. All urea sold in India has been neem-coated since 2015.
🔒 Neem: azadirachtin (biopesticide), neem cake (manure), neem-coated urea (slows nitrogen loss).