Mucuna bracteata (MB)
PLANT CHARACTER Perennial, creeping, aggressive climber. Thick stems and pseudo tap roots extending 2 to 3m deep. Branches from each node. Adventitious roots do not form easily ...
Note on our name: Kudzu Seeds Trading supplies managed tropical cover crop seed. Pueraria javanica, one of our cover crops, is not the invasive kudzu vine (Pueraria montana) regulated in parts of the USA. Our seed is tested to ISTA and AOSA methods. See the difference.
Available to qualified buyers & distributors. Contact us for pricing, MOQ, and availability.
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About this product
PLANT CHARACTER
Perennial, creeping, aggressive climber. Thick stems and pseudo tap roots extending 2 to 3m deep. Branches from each node. Adventitious roots do not form easily from nodes touching the ground.
USES
Nitrogen fixation, weed suppression, erosion control, soil moisture and temperature regulation, and soil organic matter improvement. Research conducted by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) confirms that Mucuna bracteata derives 67 to 84% of its nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, delivering 150 to 200 kg of fixed nitrogen per hectare per year under Southeast Asian plantation conditions, a proven reduction in synthetic fertiliser dependency. Learn how MB compares to other species in our five-species cover crop comparison.
GROWTH HABIT
Shade tolerant during establishment. Initial growth is slow during the first 8 to 10 months before becoming highly prolific. Achieves 100% ground cover within 6 months under adequate rainfall, confirmed as the fastest canopy closure of any cover crop tested in Malaysian plantation trials.
WEED CONTROL
The dense legume mat suppresses weed density and dry weight by 94.7 to 99.9% versus unweeded control plots in oil palm inter-rows, effectively eliminating Imperata cylindrica (lalang/cogon grass) and broadleaf competitors, reducing or eliminating herbicide passes.
PLANTING TYPE & SEEDING RATE
Monoculture: 85 to 100 g/ha
PLANTING METHOD
Nursery then field transplanting in points (holes)
DRY MATTER PRODUCTION
Up to 28 t/ha/year (open canopy); about 13 t/ha/year under 60 to 70 percent shade (MPOB)
NO. OF SEEDS/KG
5,900 to 6,000 seeds
By the numbers
Data from MPOB, JCU, and peer-reviewed plantation trials across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
All statistics are drawn from peer-reviewed or institutional research. View MPOB nitrogen fixation bulletin
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
- Compare All Five Cover Crop Species
- Mucuna bracteata vs Pueraria javanica: Head-to-Head Comparison
- Best Cover Crop for Oil Palm Plantations
- Best Cover Crop for Rubber Plantations
- Cover Crops 101: A Guide for Tropical Plantations
- Frequently Asked Questions
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.
- Germination Rate: ≥ 85% (ISTA certified)
- Seed Purity: ≥ 98%
- Moisture Content: ≤ 12%
- Origin: Philippines / Malaysia
- Packaging: 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg bags available
- Shelf Life: 12 months from manufacture date
- DTI Registered, Department of Trade & Industry, Philippines
- ISTA Member, International Seed Testing Association
- AOSA Compliant, Association of Official Seed Analysts
- Phytosanitary Certified, compliant for international export
- All orders require a quote request, no direct online checkout.
- Minimum order quantities apply for international shipments.
- We ship to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian markets.
- Lead time: Depending on current stock. Contact us for availability.
- Payment terms discussed upon quote approval.
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Performance Data
By The Numbers
Data based on testing to ISTA and AOSA methods, MPOB and DA Philippines field references, and peer-reviewed tropical agriculture research.
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Where this fits
A shade-tolerant, high-biomass cover for long-term plantation use, established by nursery transplant.
Well suited for
- Mature or closing-canopy oil palm (tolerates roughly 60 to 70 percent shade)
- Long-term ground cover with heavy litter and biomass
- Steep or erosion-prone slopes
- Estates that prefer one durable, persistent cover
Less suitable for
- Quick broadcast establishment (it needs a polybag nursery and transplanting)
- Low-input setups that want minimal biomass and trimming
- Very short rotations or temporary cover needs
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.
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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