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Sesbania
Sesbania sesban
A very fast-growing, short-lived nitrogen-fixing shrub-tree used across East Africa in 'improved fallow' soil fertility systems and as fodder. It tolerates waterlogged and riverine sites better than most agroforestry legumes.
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- Fabaceae
- Tree type
- agroforestry/nitrogen-fixing, fodder
- Mature height (m)
- 3-8
- Growth rate
- fast
- Lifespan (years)
- 5-7
- Native region
- Tropical Africa and Asia (broad native range including East Africa)
Environment
Growing Conditions
- Climate requirements
- Wide adaptability across Kenya's altitude range (0-2000m) with 600-2000mm rainfall; notably tolerant of seasonal flooding and riverine/wetland conditions.
- Soil types
- Tolerates waterlogged, saline and generally poor soils; grows across a broad soil range.
- Water requirements
- High; thrives in moist or seasonally flooded sites and along riverbanks.
Cultivation
Planting & Care
- Planting guide
- Direct-seeded or nursery-raised and transplanted at the start of the rains; spaced roughly 0.5-1m apart in improved-fallow blocks or intercropped rows alongside maize.
- Care guide
- Needs little pruning given its short life cycle; typically grown as a 1-2 year fallow crop, cut and incorporated as green manure, then the plot is replanted.
Phenology
Flowering & Fruiting
- Flowering season
- Within its first year, yellow flowers
- Fruiting season
- Shortly after flowering, slender pods
Value
Uses & Economic Importance
- Uses
- Soil fertility improvement via improved fallow/green manure, fodder, firewood, and live fencing.
- Economic importance
- A key species in ICRAF-led improved fallow research in western Kenya, used to restore soil fertility and boost subsequent maize yields for smallholders without inorganic fertilizer.
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