Fodder: Bank  Industrial Crop: Fiber  Management: Fodder  Management: Hay  Minor Global Crop  Staple Crop: Protein

A plant of the sub-tropics to the tropics, also succeeding in warm temperate areas. The plant can be grown between latitudes 6 - 45°N and 9 - 38°S. It is adapted to a relative air humidity about 80%. Both excessive rainfall and drought affects the quality of the fibre. Relatively flat areas, not subject to flooding as well as gentle sloping lands, not subject to erosion are suitable for ramie production. It is found at elevations up to 1,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 27°c, but can tolerate 10 - 34°c[ 418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 4,000mm[ 418 ]. Requires a rich warm sandy soil that is very well drained[ 1 , 57 , 123 , 200 ]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils so long as they are fertile[ 418 ]. Intolerant of wet soils[ 200 ]. This is a very greedy plant that can soon impoverish a soil, it requires a lot of feeding if it is to perform well[ 123 ]. All plant remains, after the fibre has been removed, should be returned to the soil[ 123 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.4 - 6.5, tolerating 4.8 - 7.5[ 418 ]. Boehmeria nivea is an extremely variable species that is widespread over large areas of subtropical and tropical Asia. Its complex species includes several infraspecific taxa, four varieties of which are found in China[ 266 ]. The sub-species B. Nivea tenacissima. (Gaud.)Miquel., which produces the fibre 'Rhea' is a native of Malaysia and is not hardy in Britain[ 200 ]. Yields are from 375 to 900 kilos of fibre (per acre?)[ 123 ]. Two to four harvests per year are possible depending upon the climate, it is harvested as the stems turn brown[ 123 ]. Yields of green plants may in temperate regions vary between 15 - 20 tonnes/ha and in tropical areas 8 - 10 tonnes/ha. Yields of about 1400 kg fibre/ha have been reported[ 418 ]. There are an increase in yields in the 2nd and 3rd year[ 418 ]. Stems can be harvested 2 - 3 times per year in temperate areas, 4 - 5 times in subtropical areas and in the tropics up to 6 crops can be produced annually[ 418 ]. The crop is normally replanted after 7 - 10 years, but may persist for 20 years[ 418 ]. The plant tends to take up whatever minerals are present in the soil. This could cause problems for example high uptake of molybdenum can lead to conditioned copper deficiency[ 289 ]. Found In: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China*, East Africa, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Philippines, Rwanda, SE Asia, South America, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam.

Carbon Farming

• Fodder: Bank  Fodder banks are plantings of high-quality fodder species. Their goal is to maintain healthy productive animals. They can be utilized all year, but are designed to bridge the forage scarcity of annual dry seasons. Fodder bank plants are usually trees or shrubs, and often legumes. The relatively deep roots of these woody perennials allow them to reach soil nutrients and moisture not available to grasses and herbaceous plants.
• Industrial Crop: Fiber  Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
• Management: Fodder  Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Management: Hay  Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• 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.
• Staple Crop: Protein  (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.