Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Fodder: Pod  Industrial Crop: Biomass  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop  Other Systems: SRC  Staple Crop: Balanced carb

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 300 metres[418 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 19 - 32°c[418 ]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, but new growth can be killed at -1°c [418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 1,000mm, but tolerates 250 - 1,250mm[418 ]. Requires a sunny position. Succeeds in a range of well-drained soils, including saline soils[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6, tolerating 5 - 6.7[418 ]. Established plants have deep tap roots and are very drought tolerant[305 , 418 ]. The tree can form dense thickets. It is a prolific producer of seed, which can be dispersed by water, in mud adhering to animals, boots etc, and by being eaten and defecated[305 ]. It has escaped from cultivation in many areas and can become an invasive and troublesome weed[305 , 418 ]. Plants grow quite slowly when young, to around 1 metre annually[414 ]. Plants are very fast to mature, able to flower and fruit within two years of sowing the seed[418 ]. Trees can be coppiced[414 ]. 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: Pod  Fodder plants with pods.
• Industrial Crop: Biomass  Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
• 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.
• 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.
• Other Systems: SRC  Short-rotation coppice.
• Staple Crop: Balanced carb  (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.