How to Grow Senegalia pennata? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Key Technical Points

The scientific name of Senegalia pennata is Acacia pennata, and it is the most distinctive wild vegetable in Xishuangbanna and other places. So how do you grow Senegalia pennata?

1. Growth habits of Senegalia pennata

Senegalia pennata is a perennial plant of the Fabaceae family, mainly produced in Xishuangbanna. Its scientific name is Acacia pennata. It is covered in thorns and is neither a tree nor a vine nor a grass. The tender leaves of the plant are edible. It is very nutritious, with a protein content (as high as 8.59%) even higher than that of soybeans, and it is deeply loved by many ethnic groups in neighboring Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

The pod is strap-shaped, 9-20 cm long and 2-3.5 cm wide, hairless or with very fine hairs when young, with slightly raised and shallowly wavy edges; seeds 8-12, oblong-elliptic and flat. Flowering period March to October; fruiting period July to April of the following year.

2. How do you grow Senegalia pennata?

1. Raising seedlings

Senegalia pennata is mainly propagated by cuttings, using nutrient bags for cutting propagation.

Cutting propagation is generally carried out in March. Select healthy, semi-lignified stems and vines with 2-3 nodes as cuttings, with a cutting length of 25-30 cm.

2. Transplanting

After successful propagation, Senegalia pennata can be transplanted, with a planting density of 600 plants per 667 sq m.

The planting row spacing is 1.5 m and the plant spacing is 0.7 m. Planting holes also need to be dug, with a hole depth of 50 cm and a hole width of 40 cm.

3. Other management

After transplanting is completed, management such as weeding, fertilizing and watering is also needed.

Topdressing is done twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn, applying 30 kg of urea fertilizer per 667 sq m each time.

Water reasonably according to the growth condition of Senegalia pennata.