Role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) as an antidote to incidence of Camallanus sweeti – a Nematode in Channa punctatus

Preety Sinha^a*, Manorma Kumari^b, Vibha Jha^b & Sanjay Kumar^b
aP.G. Department of Zoology, A.N.College (Magadh University), Patna, Bihar, India.
^bP. G. Department of Botany, A. N. College(Magadh University), Patna, Bihar, India.

Received 22nd December, 2011; Revised 15th February, 2012

Abstract :  Fishery is important for the Indian economy, as it provides employment opportunities and is a rich source of nutritional food. But helminth infections cause heavy loss to fisheries by way of retardation of growth, decreased production, lower returns, susceptibility to other diseases due to lowered resistance and heavy mortality. For controlling helminth parasites of fishes in a safe and inexpensive manner, role of Neem (Azadirachta indica) as an antidote was studied in a popular fish – Channa punctatus. First, helminth parasites from the guts of Channa punctatus were identified. Among five species of helminths obtained, Camallanus sweeti was the only nematode. Its incidence was found 31.1%. Experimental groups of fishes were then administered Neem in concentrations of 25%, 50% and 75% with other ingredients. Incidences of Camallanus sweeti were recorded from control and experimental groups after one, two and four weeks of treatment for different seasons as well as over the whole year. After four weeks of treatment with higher concentrations of neem, incidences of Camallanus dropped very significantly (p < 0.05). Thus Neem was found to be an effective antidote against nematodes.