Mucuna (Kalongonda): the best legume for soil fertility in Malawi

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean or kalongonda) is a legume, which gets most of its nitrogen (N) from the air and adds N to the soil from the leaves and stems that fail during the season. The more N added to the soil, the better subsequent maize crops will grow. Mucuna is the best annual legume tried in Malawi for producing both biomass for soil improvement and seed yield. A healthy Mucuna crop will grow vigorously, producing over 10 tonnes/ha of biomass above ground. It requires no more than one weeding and produces a thick layer of organic mulch. If incorporated in the soil, the biomass left from Mucuna can more than double maize yields in the next season without fertilizers. Mucuna can produce more seed than unfertilised maize. Mucuna seed is used for human consumption in southern Malawi, but care must be taken with its preparation. The seed can be cooked, or planted in subsequent seasons on fields where soil fertility needs to be improved.