Diversity of Legumes in the Cashew Agroforestry System in East Timor (Southeast Asia)

Abstract

Cashew is an important export-oriented crop in several tropical countries, often under monocropping systems. Intercropping with legume species is promoted as a sustainable practice, enhancing agricultural productivity and providing nutritional food sources to rural communities. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of Leguminosae (or Fabaceae) in the cashew agroforestry systems of East Timor (Southeast Asia). Fourteen cashew orchards were sampled across the country, and information about leguminous species uses was collected from local populations. About 50 species are commonly part of the country’s cashew agroforestry system, many of them simultaneously used as food, fodder, and in traditional medicine. Six bean species—Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth, Phaseolus lunatus L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi and H.Ohashi, Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.—are largely used as food. The mineral contents of these beans revealed relevant differences between species and, in some cases, between types (seed colour) within species. Periods of hunger and low food variety are frequent in East Timor, reflecting a very poor nutritional state of the population. Knowing and using legumes for local nutrition, as well as for healthcare and well-being, adds great value to these species as components of East Timor cashew agroforestry systems.

Evaluation of Selected Medicinal, Timber and Ornamental Legume Species’ Seed Oils as Sources of Bioactive Lipophilic Compounds

“… Letters in the table denote references: a [ 4 ]; b [ 1 ]; c [ 5 ]; d [ 47 ]; e [ 9 ]; f [ 48 ]; g [ 10 ]; h [ 7 ]; i [ 6 ]*—only genus mentioned; j [ 49 ]; k [ 50 ]; l [ 11 ]; m [ 51 ]; n [ 52 ]; o [ 53 ]; p [ 54 ]; q [ 55 ]; • mentioned in online databases with no reference provided. …”

“…Additionally, forest-like plantations with low-intensity management can have higher biodiversity and carbon stocks than intensely managed monoculture plantations [ 3 ]. Of the investigated species, Acacia auriculiformis , Albizia odoratissima , Delonix regia and Sesbania sesban are already used (intentionally) or are present (naturally) in agroforestry systems [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]. Using N 2 -fixing trees poses several advantages.…”