Interactions
HOW DOES THE VELVET BEAN INTERACT WITH OTHER ORGANISMS?
Mucuna pruriens is a fierce competitor when
growing next to another organism. It suppresses the growth of the other
crop. In order for the other crop to survive, it is recommended to allow the
other crop to grow for about two weeks before planting the velvet bean next
to it.
Maize Sugarcane Leaf-cutter ants Iguana
Negative Interactions
Wilt: Wilt is a fungus that
causes water loss and drying out of the velvet bean
Common pests:
Slugs, rabbits, leaf-cutter ants, and iguanas are some of the pests that
like to eat the plant of a velvet bean. Rats are also known to use the
velvet bean in the form of a ladder to be able to reach the corn stalks.
Positive Interactions
Rhizobium bacteria:
Velvet beans, like many other legumes depend on the mutualistic relationship
with the rhizobium bacteria. This bacterium grows on the root nodules of the velvet
bean and allows it to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that is
usable for the plant. This is why the velvet bean is able to live in such
diverse habitats with poor soil. From the velvet bean, Rhizobium bacteria are given a place to live
because it cannot fix nitrogen without a host, and a supply of carbon from
photosynthesis.
For information on another nitrogen-fixing organism,
click
here.
Bats: The velvet bean relies on the bat for pollination and reproduction. The bat sips the nectar and transfers the pollen from one plant to another. Once the plant is pollinated, the seeds are ready to be picked and planted. Another example of an organism that helps in pollination of flowers is the European honey bee.
To find out how the velvet bean is used, click Medicinal Uses.