Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Fodder: Pod  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Other Systems: Parkland  Regional Crop

A tree of semi-arid areas of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 22 - 35°c, but can tolerate 18 - 40°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 300 - 500mm, tolerating 200 - 700mm[418 ]. Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position[418 ]. Tolerant of most soil types[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, but tolerates 5 - 7.5[418 ]. The tree has a deep, fast-growing tap root[375 ]. Responds well to coppicing[375 ]. This is the only tropical African Prosopis species, occurring from Senegal to Ethiopia in the zone between the Sahel and savannah forests[418 ]. 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[755 ]. In it natural habitat, flowering occurs just prior to the rainy season. Seeds mature between February and March. Fodder: pod.

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• Fodder: Pod  Fodder plants with pods.
• Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Other Systems: Parkland  Africa - Trees scattered throughout cropland. An Irregular intercropping system.
• 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.