Management: Standard  Regional Crop  Staple Crop: Oil

A plant of the lowland, subhumid to humid tropics, found at elevations from sea level to about 600 metres[ 312 ]. It experiences very warm temperatures throughout the year with a mean annual temperature of 25 - 28°c; and an annual rainfall in the range of 1,800 - 4,000 mm[ 312 ]. Plants are usually found in areas where the dry season is less than 2 months, but they can tolerate up to 4 months dry season[ 312 ]. Prefers a medium to heavy-textured soil of moderate to high fertility[ 312 ]. Intolerant of shallow, infertile, or saline soils[ 312 ]. Fruits best in a position with little or no shade, though young trees grow best in semi-shade[ 312 ]. Plants succeed with free to slightly impeded drainage and a neutral pH[ 312 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.1 - 7.4[ 312 ]. Plants are fairly tolerant of strong winds, quickly recovering if any damage is caused[ 312 ]. The tree has a minor potential to become invasive[ 312 ]. Plants grow fairly slowly during their first year, usually reaching 0.6 - 2 metres in height[ 312 ]. After that, the growth rate increases with annual height increases of 2.5 - 3 metres common for the next 5 - 6 years[ 312 ]. Trees produce a deep taproot[ 312 ]. Plants can commence fruiting when about 7 years old[ 312 ]. Annual yields have been estimated at up to 4 - 7 tonnes of kernels per hectare[ 312 ]. Selection of plants over the centuries has led to a number of distinct forms with thinner shells and larger seeds[ 312 ]. Plants are most commonly dioecious, meaning that both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required. However, some trees also bear hermaphrodite flowers plus either male or female flowers[ 312 ].

Carbon Farming

• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
• Staple Crop: Oil  (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).