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Nitrogen Fixing Trees - Multipurpose Pioneers

NITROGEN FIXING TREES FOR
AGROFORESTRY

Nitrogen xation is a pattern of

nutrient cycling which has
successfully been used in perennial
agriculture for millennia. This article
focuses on legumes, which are
nitrogen xers of particular
importance in agriculture.
Speci cally, tree legumes (nitrogen
xing trees, hereafter called NFTs)
are especially valuable in subtropical
and tropical agroforestry. They can be integrated into an agroforestery system to restore nutrient
cycling and fertility self-reliance.

On unvegetated sites, "pioneer" plants (plants which grow and thrive in harsh, low-fertility
conditions) begin the cycling of nutrients by mining and accumulating available nutrients. As more
nutrients enter the biological system and vegetative cover is established, conditions for other non-
pioneering species become favorable. Pioneers like nitrogen xing trees tend to bene t other
forms of life by boosting fertility and moderating harsh conditions.

NFTs are often deep rooted, which allows them to gain access to nutrients in subsoil layers. Their
constant leaf drop nourishes soil life, which in turn can support more plant life. The extensive root
system stabilizes soil, while constantly growing and atrophying, adding organic matter to the soil
while creating channels for aeration. There are many species of NFTs that can also provide
numerous useful products and functions, including food, wind protection, shade, animal fodder,
fuel wood, living fence, and timber, (see chart (/?Itemid=308) for speci c species yields) in
addition to providing nitrogen to the system.

NITROGEN: FROM THE AIR TO THE PLANTS

Nitrogen is often referred to as a primary limiting nutrient in plant growth. Simply put, when
nitrogen is not available plants stop growing. Although lack of nitrogen is often viewed as a
problem, nature has an immense reserve of nitrogen everywhere plants grow--in the air. Air
consists of approximately 80% nitrogen gas (N2), representing about 6400 kg of N above every

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hectare of land. However, N2 is a stable gas, normally unavailable to plants. Nitrogen xation, a
process by which certain plants " x" or gather atmospheric N2 and make it biologically available, is
an underlying pattern in nature. (See box below for details on how nitrogen xation works).

HOW TO USE NFTS IN A SYSTEM

In the tropics, most of the available nutrients (over 75%) are not in the soil but in the organic
matter. In subtropical and tropical forests, nutrients are constantly cycling through the ecosystem.
Aside from enhancing overall fertility by accumulating nitrogen and other nutrients, NFTs establish
readily, grow rapidly, and regrow easily from pruning. They are perfectly suited to jump-start
organic matter production on a site, creating an abundant source of nutrient-rich mulch for other
plants. Many fast-growing NFTs can be cut back regularly over several years for mulch production.

The NFTs may be integrated into a system in many di erent ways including clump plantings, alley
cropping, contour hedgerows, shelter belts, or single distribution plantings. (See gure below). As
part of a productive system, they can serve many functions: microclimate for shade-loving crops
like co ee or citrus (cut back seasonally to encourage fruiting); trellis for vine crops like vanilla,
pepper, and yam; mulch banks for home gardens; and living fence and fodder sources around
animal elds.

Ways to integrate nitrogen xing trees in your plantings

PLANTING NITROGEN FIXING TREES

Species Selection

A survey of your area will be helpful in determining the habit and vigor of local NFTs. Some are
small and produce edible shoots and pods, ideal for home garden use; others are large and
fast growing for fuel wood or poles. Decide on what yields you want from your NFTs, and
choose a diversity of species. For some characteristics of many nitrogen xing trees, this chart
(/speciescharac.html) may be of use.

Seed Pregermination Treatment (Scari cation)

In many NFTs, the hard seed coat must be scari ed in order to allow absorption of water,
hence germination. There are several methods: hot water is the most common. Water
temperature should be approximately 70-90 C° (160°F). The volume ratio should be 5-10 parts

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 water to one part seeds. Seeds are placed in hot water for 1-3 minutes, then rinsed. Seeds
may be soaked overnight at room temperature. A useful chart is given on the FACT Net
website (http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/TREAT.HTM).

Seed Inoculation

After scari cation, a sticking agent such as vegetable oil or plain water is applied sparingly to
seeds, and inoculum dusted into the mix. Seeds should be sown immediately. Do not expose
inoculated seed to extremes in temperature or direct sunlight.

Planting

Plant material in the form of bare root seedlings, stump cuttings and branch cuttings should
be kept moist and protected until planting. Punch a small hole in the ground with the same
diameter as the plant material. Seedlings should be placed in the hole with the root/shoot
collar of the tree at soil level. Stump cuttings are handled likewise. Branch cuttings should be
scari ed in several places with a sharp knife to promote rooting and put in the ground about
one third of their length.

Establishment

Initially NFTs require moisture and adequate nutrients, as well as protection from weed
competition. The best way to achieve these conditions is to amend the soil and sheet mulch at
the time of planting.

A Caution

As the goal in agroforestry is to foster a productive and stable ecosystem, rather than simply
to add nitrogen to the system, NFTs should be used with due care and oversight. Too many
nitrogen xing plants can overnitrify the soil and pollute ground and surface waters. NFTs are
not a panacea. Most will not thrive in shade or fertile conditions. Because of their ability to
thrive under poor conditions, they can easily become weedy. Therefore, if possible, use only
NFTs which are already established in your area, or that have a history of not becoming
weeds. NFTs can also become competitive for available soil nutrients, especially in arid areas-
careful and informed management practices are advised.

Also, be aware that there are many other signi cant avenues for nitrogen xation in nature,
such as free-living nitrogen xing bacteria, which should also be incorporated into a design.

HOW BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FIXATION WORKS IN LEGUMES

Working with a group of bacteria called rhizobia, legumes are able to pull nitrogen out of the air
and accumulate it biologically. The bacteria, which are normally free-living in the soil in the native
range of a particular legume, infect (inoculate) the root hairs of the plant and are housed in small
root structures called nodules. Energy is provided by the plant to feed the bacteria and fuel the
nitrogen xation process. In return, the plant receives nitrogen for growth.

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There are thousands of strains of rhizobia. Certain of these will infect many hosts, certain hosts
will accept many di erent strains of rhizobia. Certain hosts may be nodulated by several strains of
rhizobia, but growth may be enhanced only by particular strains. Therefore, when introducing
hosts to a new area it is extremely important to also introduce a known e ective symbiotic
rhizobia strain. Such e ective strains have been identi ed for thousands of the important nitrogen
xing legumes, and can be purchased at low cost for the value returned. The best method for
ensuring e ective nitrogen xation is introduce a known e ective strain of Rhizobium to the
potting medium at the time of sowing. Large, healthy nodules may also be used to inoculate seeds.
To determine if the nodule is e ective, it may be cut open. E ective nodules will have a pink to
dark red pigment inside.

In conventional cropping systems it is estimated that 50-800 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year
are accumulated by nitrogen xing plants, depending on species, soil and climate, Rhizobium
e ciency, and management. Equivalent quantities of manufactured nitrogen is produced using an
energy intensive process, and the end product is high-priced nitrogen in a form which can be
detrimental to soil ecology.

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:

FAO, 1984. Legume Inoculants and Their Use, FAO of the United Nations, Rome. Excellent
practical handbook for inoculation.

MacDicken, Kenneth G. 1994. Selection and Management of Nitrogen-Fixing Trees. Winrock

International Institute for Agricultural Development, Morrilton, Arkansas, USA.

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 National Academy of Sciences. 1979. Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future, National
Academy Press, Washington, D.C..

Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association (Currently the FACT Net

(http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factnet.htm)). 1989-1994. NFT Highlights. Nitrogen
Fixing Tree Association, Morrilton, Arkansas, USA.

Author Contact:

Craig Elevitch and Kim Wilkinson

P.O. Box 428, Holualoa, HI 96725 USA
agroforestry.net (http://www.agroforestry.net/)

© 1995,1998

(Printed originally in the Permaculture International Journal (http://nornet.nor.com.au/environment/perma/index.html), Issue No. 56)

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