User:Parnassiapalustris/sandbox

Ecology
The natural distribution of Inga edulis spreads from Central to South America and ranges from subtropical dry to tropical wet conditions. It can be found at elevations from sea level up to 2200 m. Inga edulis grows best when mean annual daytime temperature ranges from 23 to 30 °C. However, it can tolerate 18 - 35 °C. During the resting period mature trees can survive -2°C while young plants are killed at 0° C. Preferred annual precipitation ranges from 1200 to 2500 mm but 640 to 4000 mm of annual precipitation can be tolerated also. Inga edulis can be grown on a widely varying range of soil conditions. It prefers a soil pH of 5 - 6.5 but can also grow in very strongly acidic soil down to a pH of 4.5 or moderately alkaline conditions up to pH 8. The natural habitat of Inga edulis includes margins of large rivers like the Amazon, thickets below high water line and wooded swamps. Therefore the tree tolerates temporarily waterlogged soils for 2-3 months each year. However, it can also tolerate drought seasons up to 6 months. Further Inga edulis can cope with heavy soils or slope fairly well. In terms of soil fertility, Inga edulis is not only unpretentious but has the potential to improve soil quality. As a leguminous tree, Inga edulis can compensate for nutrient depleted soils by fixing nitrogen with its root nodules. Additionally to nitrogen, Inga edulis is reported to significantly increase the extractable Phosphorus content in the soil and thus further ameliorates degraded soils.

Cultivation
Inga edulis is widely cultivated in agroforestry systems in its neotropical dispersal area. This form of cultivation, often associated with coffee or cocoa culture is widely known since pre-Columbian times. Germination of Inga edulis seeds is fairly easy as the seeds are recalcitrant and often germinate already in the pod. However, seeds loose their ability to germinate after two weeks of storage. Direct sowing of the seeds is possible, but the establishment of seedlings with already a certain height can decrease competition with noxious weeds and thus increase growth. Further, the inoculation with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi in depleated soils is recommended to promote growth. These inoculi can easily be produced by collecting soil, nodules and fine roots from mature, nodulated inga edulis stands. Inga edulis seems to be very resistant to pests and diseases. Minor damages can result of fungal attacks in the seedling stage. Mature Inga edulis can be defoliated by Lepidoptera larvae. Also, fruit fly larvae often damage the seed testa. In Ecuador, Inga edulis in specially susceptible to mistletoe infestations.