Climate suitability checker for tropical cover crops
Species suitability by elevation at a glance
| Species | Lowland | Mid-altitude | Highland (above about 1,000 m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mucuna bracteata (MB) | Excellent | Good | Not recommended | Needs consistent tropical warmth; fastest canopy closure in open lowland blocks, typically 3 to 4 months |
| Pueraria javanica (PJ) | Excellent | Good | Fair | Growth slows above 1,000 m; increase seed rate by about 20 percent at highland sites |
| Calopogonium mucunoides (CM) | Excellent | Good | Fair | Strong on acidic soils (pH 4.5 to 5.0) and degraded land; fast short-term cover |
| Centrosema pubescens (CP) | Excellent | Good | Good | The most altitude-tolerant of the five and the best highland choice; outstanding shade tolerance |
| Calopogonium caeruleum (CC) | Excellent | Good | Fair | Exceptional shade tolerance (up to 90 percent); spreads by stolons for persistent cover |
Ratings summarise the checker's underlying climate envelopes for Philippine island groups across Mindanao, the Visayas, and Luzon. Most plantations plant a mixture rather than a single species. Values reviewed September 2026.
About the climate suitability checker
This free tool ranks the main tropical cover crops for your plantation by Philippine region and elevation. It compares Mucuna bracteata, Pueraria javanica, Calopogonium, and Centrosema against the rainfall, temperature, and shade conditions typical of your location, and shows which species are the strongest fit. It is built for oil palm, rubber, coconut, durian, and other plantation systems across Mindanao, the Visayas, and Luzon.
How it works
You select your region and elevation band, and optionally your crop and canopy shade level. The checker scores each species on how well its known climate envelope matches your site. Mucuna bracteata is favoured for vigorous biomass and quick ground cover in open, higher-rainfall blocks. Pueraria javanica is a balanced all-rounder. Centrosema pubescens tolerates more shade, which suits maturing canopies. Calopogonium establishes fast as a short-term cover. The result is a ranked shortlist, not a single answer, because most plantations use a species mix.
How to read the result
Use the ranking to narrow your options, then confirm with our agronomy team, who will factor in your planting stage, weed pressure, and management capacity. Climate suitability is one input among several when designing a cover crop programme.
Frequently asked questions
Which species does it compare?
Mucuna bracteata, Pueraria javanica, Calopogonium, and Centrosema, the tropical legumes most used under Philippine plantation crops.
Does elevation really matter?
Yes. Temperature falls with elevation, and some species perform better in cooler upland blocks while others prefer warm lowland sites. The checker accounts for this when ranking.
Can I plant more than one species?
Most plantations do. A mix can combine fast early cover with longer-term persistence and shade tolerance. The ranking helps you choose which species to combine.
How do I get seed and a recommendation?
Share your region, crop, and stage and we will recommend a species mix and seeding rate. You can request a consultation or contact us for a quote.