Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop  Mostly Wild-collected  Other Systems: Multistrata  Staple Crop: Protein-oil

A plant of the lowland, tropical rain forests, where it is found at elevations up to 200 metres[ 303 , 418 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 36°c, but can tolerate 12 - 40°c[ 418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,400 - 2,800mm, but tolerates 1,400 - 3,500mm[ 418 ]. In eastern Amazonia, in the lower limits of its climatic range, there can be 2 - 7 months where the monthly rainfall is less than 100 mm[ 324 ]. A pronounced dry season is necessary for good fruit set[ 303 ]. Requires a deep, well-drained but moisture retentive fertile, medium to heavy soil[ 307 , 418 ]. Mature trees grow best in a sunny position[ 307 ], but young trees require shade for their first 5 - 7 years[ 418 ]. Well adapted to heavy clay and low-fertility Oxisols but is not tolerant to waterlogging[ 303 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 8[ 418 ]. Trees commence flowering when about 5 - 6 years old[ 418 ]. Fruiting starts at 12 - 16 years in the forest and as early as 8 years if trees are well managed in the open[ 303 , 418 ]. Mature nuts are produced approximately 15 months after fertilization[ 63 , 303 ]. The seeds are borne in a large spherical wooden 'fruit' that is up to 15cm in diameter and can weight up to 2 kilos[ 63 ]. Between 12 and 24 seeds are contained in each fruit and this falls intact from the tree when it is ripe[ 63 ]. Since the fruits are only formed on the upper branches, and these can be 30 metres or more above ground level, this can make collecting the seeds a rather hazardous occupation[ 63 ]. The nuts are normally extracted in situ from the 'fruits' and then shipped out of the jungle to be sold[ 63 ]. Trees 16 years old produce 30 - 50 fruits, mature trees usually 200 - 400, and a yield of 1,000 fruits has been reported[ 303 ]. Yields of up to 450 kilos of nuts can be obtained from the best trees[ 63 ].

Carbon Farming

• 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.
• Mostly Wild-collected  Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.
• Other Systems: Multistrata  Multistrata agroforests feature multiple layers of trees often with herbaceous perennials, annual crops, and livestock.
• 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.