Legumes of iron ore mine wastelands of Goa and their potential use in revegetation

Abstract

A survey of two iron ore mining sites was carried out to identify the naturally occurring and cultivated leguminous plant species. In all, a total of 44 legume species belonging to 24 genera were recorded. Legumes formed the single largest group o plants at the two mining sites. The ditferent genera recorded are Cassia (6), Acacia (5), Sirithia (3), Crotalaria (3), Alysicarpus (2), Dalbergia (2), Desmodiom (2), Geissaspis (2), Tephrosia (2), Atylosia(1), Erythrina (1), Gliricidia (1), Indigofera (1), Pongamia (1), Phaseolus (1), Pueraria (1), Teramnus (1), Zornia (1), Bautinia (1), Delonix (1), Tamarindus (1), Mimosa (1), Wagatea (1), Pithocelobium (1), and Samanea (1), with the total number of species given in the brackets. The paper also discusses their potential use (with regards to nodulation, mycorrhtzal association and production of organic matter) in revegetation of iron ore mine wastelands.