Cover Crop Seeds | Centrosema pubescens (CP)
Buy Centrosema pubescens (CP) cover crop seeds. Shade-tolerant perennial legume ideal for mature oil palm and rubber plantations. Persistent ground cover with excellent nitrogen fixation. Bulk supp...
Quick Facts
PLANT CHARACTER
Robust, creeping perennial legume with good shade tolerance. Produces persistent ground cover even under established plantation canopies. Deep-rooting system contributes to subsoil nutrition and aggregate stability.
USES
Nitrogen fixation under shade, erosion control, soil cover in cacao and agroforestry systems, and establishment for replanting and slope protection. Centrosema pubescens sustains biological nitrogen fixation at 120–270 kg N/ha/year even under canopy shade up to 80% — making it a strong choice where other cover crops struggle beneath closed cacao or rubber canopies. Tissue nitrogen remains stable at 2.4–2.7%, maintaining continuous fertility contribution through leaf turnover.
GROWTH HABIT
Achieves dense ground cover within 4–8 months under adequate rainfall. Requires good conditions during establishment but produces persistent, self-maintaining cover once rooted. Suitable for slope gradients where erosion risk is high.
PLANTING TYPE & SEEDING RATE
Monoculture or mixture: 2–4 kg/ha
PLANTING METHOD
Direct sowing — broadcast or rows
DRY MATTER PRODUCTION
5–9 t/ha/year
NO. OF SEEDS/KG
~65,000 seeds
By the numbers
Species performance data from agronomic field observation and institutional references across SE Asian plantation systems.
Centrosema pubescens is a strong cover crop option where other species struggle under established canopies. Performance data sourced from institutional and peer-reviewed references.
Ready to Get Started?
Why Chemiseed
- Trusted since 2003
- 500+ Successful Projects
- Fast Response Times
- Expert Agronomy Support
Need Expert Advice?
Get expert agronomic advice and a customised quote for your estate. Our team has supported 500+ plantation projects since 2003.