Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Agroforestry Services: Understory legume  Fodder: Pasture  Management: Fodder  Minor Global Crop

The plant is adapted to the humid tropics but it is fairly drought-tolerant[310 ]. It grows better in cooler conditions than centro (Centrosema pubescens) and in the elevated tropics can grow up to an altitude of about 800 metres[310 ]. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained[310 ]. Plants are very tolerant of shading[310 ]. Plants can succeed in acid soils with a pH as low as 4.0[310 ]. It grows best in areas with a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 - 3,000mm, but will persist in environments with as little as 700mm[415 ]. It prefers environments with 25c maximum and 18c minimum day temperatures, with outer limits of 32c maximum and 10c minimum[415 ]. It has been widely planted throughout the humid tropics, and has escaped from cultivation and become naturalised in many areas[415 ]. It has considerable weed potential, often smothering desirable grasses and other understorey species[415 ]. It has invaded seasonally wet tropical environments[415 ]. When growing in the humid tropics it flowers indeterminately through the first wet season, producing seed into the dry season[415 ]. It is capable of producing moderate amounts of seed even in its first year[415 ]. 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: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• Agroforestry Services: Understory legume  Legume vegetation, especially the trees and shrubs growing between the forest canopy and the forest floor.
• Fodder: Pasture  Enclosed tracts of farmland mainly of grasses, with an interspersion of legumes and other forbs (non-grass herbaceous plants).
• Management: Fodder  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.