Legume crops such as beans, groundnuts, cow pea, Tephrosia species generally contribute in enhancing soil fertility thus contributing to increase food production.
A typical example is Tephrosia sp, which are nitrogen fixing plants. They have bumps called nodules on their roots which have been converted from atmospheric nitrogen.
In most of the rural areas, Tephrosia plants are used as stakes in the farms for climbers such as some species of beans, yams . This reduces the stress of cutting stakes, and at the end of the farming season they are used as firewood. Thus it cultivation will greatly reduce deforestation especially in these rural areas, reduces surface runoff.
Its leaves equally serve as manure which help in increasing soil fertility. There are several species of this crop and are thus cultivated as per geographical area or area of origin.
Tephrosia species is typical of Africa, North America, produces purple flowers at maturity which further develops into pod that contain the beans which are brown and later start drying indicating maturity.
After harvest, the pods are thrashed and stored in dry containers ready for the market. It helps in generating income to farmers.
Tephrosia Plant is really a wonder plants doing wonderful things to farmers and the environment.
@manka
content creator
Our natural soils are fast getting depleted leading to low crop yields, thus we are bound to adopt approaches that will safeguard it.