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Kudzu Seeds Trading

Centrosema pubescens (CP)

Centrosema pubescens (CP)

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Bulk & wholesale supply — pricing on request.

Centrosema pubescens (CP) is a shade-tolerant perennial legume cover crop for plantation inter-rows and agroforestry. It fixes nitrogen even under canopy shade up to 80% (120 to 270 kg N/ha/year) and forms persistent ground cover in 4 to 8 months. Kudzu Seeds Trading supplies CP seed (germination-tested, ISPM 7 and BPI phytosanitary certification) for the Philippines and export.

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. See how CP performs against other species in our five-species cover crop comparison.

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
Pure stand: 3-4.5 kg/ha; in a legume mixture: ~2 kg/ha

PLANTING METHOD
Direct sowing, broadcast or rows

DRY MATTER PRODUCTION
5-9 t/ha/year

NO. OF SEEDS/KG
~65,000 seeds

Research-backed performance
Peer-reviewed evidence

By the numbers

Species performance data from agronomic field observation and institutional references across SE Asian plantation systems.

120-270
kg N fixed per hectare per year
Sustained nitrogen fixation even under canopy shade up to 80%, strong performance among tropical legumes.
PROSEA / PlantUse, Centrosema pubescens
Up to 80%
Canopy shade tolerance
Persists under heavy shade, yielding up to 80% of its optimal output, among the most shade-tolerant cover crop species available.
Lucid Pastures, Centro Factsheet
4-8
Months to dense ground cover
Forms a compact cover 35-45 cm deep under adequate rainfall. Requires good conditions during establishment.
Lucid Pastures, Centro Factsheet
2.4-2.7%
Tissue nitrogen content
Stable tissue nitrogen even under shade, continuous fertility contribution through leaf turnover.
PROSEA / PlantUse, Centrosema pubescens

Centrosema pubescens is a strong cover crop option where other species struggle under established canopies. Performance data sourced from institutional and peer-reviewed references.

SUPPLIER
Supplied by Kudzu Seeds Trading, the Philippines-based sister company of Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. All seeds are tested for germination before shipment and exported with phytosanitary certification (ISPM 7 compliant, Philippine NPPO / Bureau of Plant Industry).

GLOBAL AVAILABILITY
Available for export to tropical regions worldwide, including Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Contact us for bulk pricing and export documentation.

Related Resources

Plan with our free calculators

Estimate the nitrogen this cover crop can contribute with the Nitrogen Fixation Calculator, or model erosion control with the Soil Erosion Calculator. Browse all our plantation tools.

Last reviewed June 2026 by Kudzu Seeds Trading.

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Performance Data

By The Numbers

60-80% Germination Rate
120-270 kg N/ha biomass-N
4-8 months Full Ground Cover
3-4.5 kg/ha Seeding Rate
Up to 80% Shade Tolerance

Data based on testing to ISTA and AOSA methods, MPOB and DA Philippines field references, and peer-reviewed tropical agriculture research.

Is this right for your site?

Where this fits

A persistent, deeper-rooting legume for durable cover and steady nitrogen building.

Well suited for

  • Persistent, longer-term ground cover
  • Legume mixtures alongside PJ and CM
  • Partially shaded inter-rows
  • Building soil nitrogen over successive seasons

Less suitable for

  • Waterlogged or poorly drained soils
  • Dry establishment without adequate moisture
  • Deep, heavy shade

Not sure it fits your conditions? Send your crop, area, and site details and our team will advise on suitability before you order.

Documents available

Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA) with germination data, and phytosanitary certification (ISPM 7 compliant) for export are available on request.

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Limitations and site considerations

Field results depend on crop system, soil, rainfall, planting method, seed quality, storage, timing, and post-establishment management. Adjust recommendations to local conditions, and contact us before ordering if you are unsure about crop fit, application rate, or site suitability.

What to include in your inquiry

  • Country and delivery location
  • Main crop or plantation type
  • Total area in hectares
  • Estimated quantity and timeline
  • Buyer type: plantation, distributor, government, or smallholder

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