The use of the speciesMelia azedarachL. (Meliaceae) alternative for the production of raw materials ecological in southern region of Brazil

Abstract

Among the plant species used in production systems based on ecological stand out Meliaceae, plants showing range of activities on various organisms when used for minimization of components "unwanted" in agroecosystems, be they insects, pathogens or other plants. Among the most promising species of this family are the neem (Azadirachta indica) and chinaberry (Melia azedarach), plants that have as a major metabolite of azadirachtin, alimonoid with low environmental toxicity that comes with different modes of biological action, compatible to be incorporated into crops that aim at sustainability. In this context, this review was to demonstrate the feasibility of inclusion of the species M. azedarach as a strategy for obtaining inputs for the management of agroecosystems intransition agroecology, especially in southern Brazil, where the plant has a wide occurrence, distribution and adaptation as well as linking local knowledge and culture.