Multifunctional Role of Legumes in Agroforestry

Abstract

Plantation and integration of leguminous trees/crops are good choices of agriculturist and forester due to its multipurpose in nature as providing fuelwood, fodder (for livestock’s), fixing nitrogen (essential nutrient for plants) into the soil and combating climate change/global warming phenomenon through enhancing carbon storage and sequestration capacity of both soil and trees (as leguminous in nature). Although, herbaceous legumes having greater diversity than tree legumes but if once it exists, then it is more profitable to farmers and provides greater ecosystem services (both tangible and intangible). The integration of legumes in various agroforestry practices are good choice for both farmer’s livelihood security and environmental health concern. Improving overall productivity, close, and efficient nutrient cycling, food, and health security, and climate security through carbon sequestration are the major promising services provided by legume-based AF systems. Moreover, legume-based AF maintains/add optimum nitrogen into the soils, particularly nitrogen-deficient soil of any regions with the help of biological N2 fixation (BNF). However, there is a lack of scientific research and development in the context of location-based specific agroforestry model and type of legumes that can be incorporated according to models in the given areas. Research should be explored in term of the suitability of leguminous trees/shrubs in the given agroforestry models, its impact of soil health and recycling of nitrogens and the provision of ecosystem services for better environment and biodiversity.

Topics & Concepts