Common names include Agati, Vegetable Hummingbird, Katurai, or West Indian Pea, Australian Corkwood Tree, Scarlet Wisteria, Tree Sesban, August Flower, Tiger Tongue, Falmingo Bill, White Dragon Tree.
About
Agase (Sesbania grandiflora) is a versatile, fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree widely valued for its role in agroforestry, soil improvement, and sustainable agriculture. Native to South and Southeast Asia, it thrives in tropical and subtropical regions and has been cultivated globally for its ecological and economic benefits. It is commonly grown along field bunds, rice paddies, and around farmsteads, where it enhances soil fertility and prevents erosion. Due to its open canopy structure, it allows ample sunlight penetration, making it an ideal intercrop companion for black pepper, coffee, tea, and betel vine.
Beyond its ecological benefits, Agati is an important food source. Its leaves, flowers, and young pods are highly nutritious and commonly consumed in traditional cuisines. The tree is also a valuable fodder crop for livestock, providing high-protein green forage. Additionally, Agati is widely used in traditional medicine for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. It serves multiple purposes, including green manure, erosion control, pulpwood, and fiber production, making it a key species in regenerative farming and sustainable land management.
Applications and advantages
Soil Fertility & Nitrogen Fixation
Enriches soil with organic matter and fixes nitrogen (up to 100-120 kg/ha), reducing fertilizer dependency.
Erosion Control
Helps stabilize soil and prevent degradation.
Green Manure
Leaves and branches enhance organic matter in soil.
Agroforestry & Shade
Provides shade and acts as a windbreak for crops.
Fodder & Forage
Nutrient-rich green fodder for livestock, particularly goats and sheep.
Food & Nutrition
Edible flowers, leaves, and young pods with high protein content.
Timber & Fiber
Used in pulp, paper, and light construction.
Medicinal Uses
Traditional medicine applications for wound healing and inflammation.
