Management: Standard  Staple Crop: Protein-oil  Wild Staple Crop

A plant of lowland areas in the very arid tropical deserts of southern Africa, where it is able to survive even in years when there is no rain[299 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 30c, but can tolerate 10 - 40c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 125 - 250mm, but tolerates 75 - 450mm[418 ]. Plants require a well-drained sandy soil on the poor side and a position in full sun[200 , 418 ]. They can succeed in dry, saline soils, often growing where underground water is available[418]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[418 ]. The leaves have been modified into thorns, which acts to give protection against grazing animals and also to minimize water-loss, making the plant very drought tolerant[418 ]. A deep-rooting plant, the roots can go down 40 metres into the soil in search of water[418 ]. A dioecious species, male and female plants must be grown if fruits and seed are required[299 ].

Carbon Farming

• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Staple Crop: Protein-oil  (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
• Wild Staple Crop  Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.