Prosopis: an empowering forest resource in the service of science for humanity

FELKER P.; PUPPO M.C.

Prosopis as a Heat Tolerant Nitrogen Fixing Desert Food Legume. 1st Edition. Prospects for Economic Development in Arid Lands

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2021;

Semi-arid lands occupy 25% of the earth´s surface and contain the area´s most subject to famine, extreme poverty and political turbulence. Low soil fertility, principally nitrogen limits biomass to less than half of values predicted with water use efficiency coefficients. Annual nitrogen inputs of 50 kg provided by Prosopis could eliminate fertility limitations on water use efficiency more than doubling productivity. Deep rooted, saline tolerant, Prosopis trees that produce copious pods for human and livestock food are adaptable to the hottest driest zones. Prosopis also produces luxury quality timber that can serve as a base for furniture industries. P. juliflora introduced into Africa has formed millions of ha of dense, thorny weedy stands that hinders grazing. In India sale of branches to biomass power plants has removed the stands and sale of pods to produce balanced rations has eliminated seeds and increased income. Erect, thornless Prosopis with palatable pods applied in different food products have been developed and through nitrogen fixation, can sequester C, increase soil fertility, increase yields, alleviate poverty and increase political stability in the poorest areas of the planet in Africa, Asia and Latin America.