ARS | Publication request: Use of neem cake as an organic substrate component

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 19, 2011
Publication Date: January 19, 2011
Citation: Kiefer, C.W., Sibley, J.L., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A., Fain, G.B., Gilliam, C.H. 2011. Use of neem cake as an organic substrate component [Abstract]. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, January 19-20, 2011, Mobile, Alabama. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Nursery and greenhouse growers continue to seek materials to decrease costs of plant production while maintaining environmental stewardship. Incorporation of neem cake as a substrate component could potentially impact nitrogen release as a result of altering substrate bacterial activity. This preliminary study investigates the impact of neem on substrate gas release and provides a starting point to further investigation regarding neem use as a substrate component.

Technical Abstract: Nursery and greenhouse growers continue to seek materials to decrease costs of plant production while maintaining environmental stewardship. Incorporation of neem cake as a substrate component could potentially impact nitrogen release as a result of altering substrate bacterial activity. The study consisted of three groups of treatments: pine bark (PB) + neem, PB + poultry compost (PC) + neem and PB + PC + urea + neem. Within each of these groups are several treatments with varying concentrations of neem (0, 1, 2 and 3%) and/or fertilizer. The study included measuring for trace gas emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which will be representative of microbial respiration. This preliminary study investigates the impact of neem on substrate gas release and provides a starting point to further investigation regarding neem use as a substrate component.