Lojka B., Dumas L., Preininger D., Polesny Z., Banout J.
Abstract
In Latin America this fast growing, acid-soil tolerant tree, which improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, is traditionally used to shade perennial crops such as coffee
and cacao, provide firewood and charcoal, and produce a sweet pulp suitable for human consumption. I. edulis is also useful as a green manure with its high biomass production and
helps control weeds and erosion, in alley cropping and other agroforestry systems. It has a great potential for restoring degraded soils as a part of agroforestry system.
The information about the physiology, the use by local farmers, the silvicultural management and integration into agroforestry systems were collected. The species is commonly
used in a large variety of agroforestry systems, however, it is surprising that it is still not the object of any improved breeding program and scientific information about this
species are still rather scarce.
Key words:
Peruvian Amazon, slash-and-burn farming, small farmers, weed control