Cajanus cajan

A woody shrub that reaches only up to 4 m high upon maturity, Pigeon Pea or Cajanus cajan is grown in the tropics and subtropics for various uses. It is short-lived and believed to be one of the earliest of cultivated plants. It has deep tap roots hence it can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. Edible parts of pigeon pea are the seeds, seedpods, leaves, and young shoots. Pigeon pea is as well known for its medicinal uses. Leaves are used as treatment of coughs, bronchitis, diarrhoea, haemorrhages, sores, and wounds. Diabetes and sore throats can likewise be treated using other plant parts of pigeon pea. Pigeon pea is planted as green manure. The stems are used as material in making baskets and in thatching. The wood is used in light construction.

Cajanus cajan is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m by 4 m at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Agroforestry Services: Alley crop Agroforestry Services: Crop shade Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen Agroforestry Services: Windbreak Fodder: Bank Fodder: Insect Global Crop as Annual Management: Coppice Management: Standard New Perennial Crop Other Systems: Homegarden Other Systems: Perennial fallow Staple Crop: Protein
Grows well in lowland tropical areas up to an elevation of 1,500 metres, though some forms can still do well up to 2,000 metres. Plants generally prefer a rainfall in the region of 500 - 1,000mm per year, though there are some cultivars that are adapted to wet, humid tropics so long as the soil is well drained. A temperature range of 20 - 30°c is preferred, but under optimal cultural conditions good yields can be obtained with temperatures up to 35°c. Grows best in a sunny position. Succeeds in a wide range of soils that are well-drained. Plants produce deep tap roots, they can succeed in poor soils and are extremely drought resistant once established. Dislikes very acid soils, growing best in a pH range of 5.5 - 6.5. A short-lived, woody plant, dying after 1 - 5 years. Harvesting of dwarf varieties can commence 5 months after sowing and continue for several months. A relatively low-yielding crop, yields of up to 5 tonnes per hectare of pods, or 1 tonne of seeds can be achieved. In perennial crops, 2 - 10 tonnes per hectare a year of woody stalks can be harvested for fuel. There are two main forms of this plant, and many named varieties of each. Var. Flavus DC. Is a moderate height plant that is early maturing, it is often grown as an annual in India. The green pods normally contain 3 seeds. Var. Bicolor DC. Is a taller plant that is later to mature and is usually grown as a perennial. The dark coloured pods contain 4 - 5 seeds. Short-duration dwarf cultivars are usually daylength neutral, but the taller growing cultivars are usually short-day plants that will not readily flower if day length is 12 hours or more. A good companion plant, it is often grown in association with other crops. 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. The crop is cultivated on marginal land by resource-poor farmers, who commonly grow traditional medium- and long-duration landraces.