Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Fodder: Bank  Fodder: Pod  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

The plant occurs naturally in arid areas of the tropics, within the latitudinal range 18 - 21°S, at elevations from 1,000 - 2,500 metres[418 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 32°c, but can tolerate 8 - 36°c[418 ]. Dormant plants can be killed by temperatures of -12°c or lower, though fresh young growth can be killed at -1°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 150 - 250mm, but tolerates 100 - 300mm[418 ]. It is often found in areas where there is no rain for years at a time; however, at night there is a high relative humidity and the trees absorb moisture through the leaves[418 ]. Requires a sunny position. Succeeds on salty, salty-sandy or clay-loam soils, sometimes with a 40cm salt encrustation at the surface[303 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 6.5 - 8.5[418 ]. Established plants are very drought resistant, able to go for 12 months or more without rain[418 ]. Under less harsh conditions that the plant experiences in its native environment, the plant might spread uncontrollably and become a serious weed[418 ]. Trees can reach 10 metres in height within 15 years, even under harsh conditions[418 ]. The tree coppices well, regenerating rapidly when cut back[303 , 418 ]. Annual wood production potential is 2 - 4 cubic metres per hectare[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 ].

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.