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

A plant of arid and semi arid, lowland tropical and subtropical areas, where it is found at elevations from sea level to 600 metres[303 , 310 , 418 ]. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 200 - 800 mm[303 ]. One estimation has said that the plant can tolerate up to 2,000mm of rain[269 ]. In some areas of its natural distribution, the climate is characterised by extremes of temperature. The summers are very hot and winters can be severe with frost[303 ]. The maximum shade temperature varies from about 40 - 46°c, the absolute minimum temperature from 9 - 16°c[303 ]. Although young plants are sensitive to frost[269 ], mature plants can tolerate frosts down to -6°c[310 ]. In its natural range, it grows on coarse sandy soils[303 ]. It can however grow on a variety of soils. Good growth is obtained on deep sandy loam soil with adequate availability of moisture in lower layers. Shallow dry soils with hard layer beneath, which restricts root penetration, results in poor growth. In arid areas, the growth is better in dune lows than in sandy plains, which in turn offer better site than the dune tops. Good drainage is very essential and poorly drained soils are not suitable[303 ]. It does not survive long on pure sandy soils. On saline soils also it quickly dies out, but it can grow on slightly alkaline soils[303 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8.5, tolerating 5.5 - 9.8[269 , 418 ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[418 ]. Tolerant of hot, dry winds[418 ]. The trees start flowering and fruiting at an early age[303 ]. This species has a life expectancy of 200 years or more[375 ]. Trees can be coppiced[303 ]. The plant produces a taproot that is more than 3 metres long[303 ]. 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.
• Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to enhance crop production, protect people and livestock and benefit soil and water conservation.
• 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.