Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Industrial Crop: Pesticide  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop

A plant of tropical regions, where it is found at elevations from sea level up to 2,100 metres[303 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 32°c[418 ]. The plant can survive temperatures down to about -1°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 870 - 2,700mm[418 ]. Prefers a sunny position, tolerating light shade[418 ]. Grows well on andosols that are not subject to flooding and on well drained loams[303 ]. Tolerant of poor soils, though it grows more slowly and is more prone to diseases[303 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[418 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[303 ]. Tolerant of strong winds[303 ]. Under favourable conditions, the plant grows quickly and is tolerant of repeated pruning[303 ]. It can reach a height of 2 - 3 metres in just 7 months[418 ]. A short-lived plant[418 ]. Plants can flower and produce seeds all year round[418 ]. Plants are quite tolerant of fire, usually resprouting readily afterwards due to its deep root system[303 ]. If the plants are weakly branched, they should be lopped to promote branching[303 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ].

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Plants providing crop shade especially trees.
• Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to enhance crop production, protect people and livestock and benefit soil and water conservation.
• Industrial Crop: Pesticide  Many plants provide natural pesticides.
• Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.