I would like to build an agroforestry model mingling organic soya beans with good matching tree essences and other crops in a west-african context.
The aim is of course finding the best tree for optimal synergies with the soya.
Leo, since soya is a legume, you can consider agroforestry species like amla, acacia etc. Previously, I had worked in combination with green gram, castor, amla, acacia, tamarind combination. Any agroforestry tree species with a legume as a intercrop would be efficient. But dont consider nutrient-exhaustive tree species like tamarind, eucalyptus etc. They have negative effects on the annual crops.
From my Timbuktu-experience and work along Niger in that area I would like to conclude these aspects: 1) Eucalyptus camaldulensis was grown in a wide ecological habitat along the river and farer away. The bombastic growth-potential of the tree is helping not only Mali, but also Ethiopia and Ruanda and many others to provide cheap fuel-wood for millions of the poorest. 2) If handled and managed agro-forestly correct with good planting-distances, mulching, mixed-cropping, etc.,all undergrowing annual crops, esp. vegetables had very good growth, often the desired shaddow in extreme heat, etc, so that I have become a real friend of Eucalyptus in the tropics. I saw fantastic stands of tomatoe and rice etc. in between widely placed Euc. forests. 3) The enormous potential of Soya as protein-food- and feed-crop and its equally enormous potential and effectiveness as Nitrogen-factory for poor farmers renders the plant an important corner-stone in any agric. strategy in respective eco-zones. The mixing of Soya in agro-forestry-systems is probably a most promising asset and kick. 4) Still we need to be aware of the partly disastrous impacts of e.g. Eucalpytus in dense monocropping-stands, where outdated and oldfashioned forestry-"experts" rule......5) Along the river Niger in West-Africa a smart clever mixed-crop-strategy involving Eucalyptus and Soya could be a big step forward. 6) You might also have a look into Prosopis juliflora, which is partly equally dis-regarded as Eucalyptus internationally and emotionally... but is in reality a very potential ecological treasure if handled by wise experts.
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