Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Edible Beans  Management: Standard  New Crop for Tubers  Staple Crop: Protein

Apios american tolerates a range of climatic conditions, producing well in cool temperate zones as well as the subtropical conditions of South Florida[269 ]. Prefers a light, rich soil and a sunny position[1, 27 ]. When grown in a warm dry situation in well-drained sandy soil, the plants will be long-lived with the tuberous roots increasing in size and number each year[245 ]. Another report says that the plant prefers light dappled shade[200 ]. It tolerates acid soils[160 ]. Prefers a pH in the range of 5 - 7.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8.5[418 ]. Dislikes windy situations[K ]. Apios americana is a plant of the temperate zone, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range of 10 - 20°c but can tolerate 8 - 30°c[418 ]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -40°c, though young growth can be damaged by frosts[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,200mm, but tolerates 700 - 1,500mm[418 ].The groundnut has occasionally been cultivated for its edible root and has the potential to become a commercial crop[95, 183 ]. Cultivars have been selected in the past for higher yields and larger tubers, it is said that the yields from some of these cultivars can rival potato crops[95, 183 ]. Some of these cultivars are gradually becoming available in Britain[K ]. The best yields are obtained when the plant is left in the ground for at least two growing seasons. Yields of 30 tonnes per hectare have been achieved from weed crops growing in a field of cranberries[269 ]. This species has been grown in the past in S. Europe[46, 50 ] and has been suggested as a nitrogen-fixing edible ornamental for permaculturalists[222 ]. The plant forms long thin roots which enlarge at intervals along their length to form the tubers; the effect is somewhat like a necklace[K ]. The flowers have the scent of violets[245 ]. 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 ]. ]. No pruning needed, it will die down in the fall.

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• Edible Beans  Grown for Edible Beans.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• New Crop for Tubers  Most new crops were important wild plants until recently, although some are the result of hybridization. They have been developed in the last few, decades. What they have in common is that they are currently cultivated by farmers.
• 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.