Mucuna bracteata (MB) Cover Crop Seeds

Mucuna bracteata (MB) Cover Crop SeedsMucuna bracteata (MB) is a vigorous perennial legume cover crop for young oil palm and rubber. It fixes 67 to 84% of its nitrogen from the air (150 to 200 kg N ha year, MPOB), reaches 100% ground cover in about 6 months, and suppresses weeds by 94. 7 to 99. 9% versus bare inter rows. Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. supplies MB seed, tested to ISTA and AOSA methods, for Malaysia, Indonesia and export. PLANT CHARACTER Perennial, creeping, aggressive climber

PLANT CHARACTER

Perennial, creeping, aggressive climber supplied by Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia). 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. For a detailed species-by-species comparison, see PJ vs MB 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. Learn more about cover crop selection in our best cover crop for oil palm guide.

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

SUPPLIED BY CHEMISEED SDN. BHD.
Mucuna bracteata (MB) cover crop seeds are supplied by Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian agricultural input company specialising in cover crop seeds and soil conditioners for tropical plantation systems. Chemiseed holds valid export permits and phytosanitary certificates for international seed shipment under ISPM 7 and NPPO Malaysia standards. For bulk enquiries, contact Chemiseed directly.

GLOBAL AVAILABILITY: TROPICAL REGIONS WORLDWIDE
Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. exports Mucuna bracteata seeds to tropical regions worldwide. Current export destinations and target markets include: Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea (Southeast Asia and Oceania); Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru (Latin America); Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo (Africa); India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (South Asia); Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu (Pacific Islands). All shipments include phytosanitary certification. Contact Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. for bulk pricing and export logistics.

Related Resources

• Cover Crop Comparison: PJ, CM, CP, MB
• PJ vs MB Detailed Comparison
• Best Cover Crop for Oil Palm
• Best Cover Crop for Rubber
• Cover Crop Calculator
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Seed Activator, Boost Germination

Related guide: Mucuna bracteata cover crop guide, or see the complete cover crops guide.

Last reviewed June 2026 by Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd.