Legumes make their own fertilizer – With help from their friends

    | September 28, 2009

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    In this week’s news story from Southern Africa, we learned about the Faidherbia tree (also known as Mgunga or Balanzan) and how it provides nitrogen to the soil, fertilizing nearby crops. Other plants can serve the same function in a farmer’s field.

    In our featured script, “Ms. Bean” describes her “special talent” for providing nitrogen to the soil. In fact, as this script explains, all leguminous plants have the ability to produce nitrogen – a trait that makes them good companions to other crops, such as “Mr. Tomato.”
    You may also view this script online, at: http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/80-8script_en.asp.