The ancient tree from India that could fuel America's future

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https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/pongamia-florida-citrus-farmers-fuel-b2575823.html

The ancient tree from India that could fuel America’s future
Climate and disease have little effect on pongamia trees

Freida Frisaro



An ancient tree from India is thriving where citrus trees once flourished in Florida, and could help provide the nation with renewable energy.

As large parts of the Sunshine State’s once-famous citrus industry have all but dried up over the past two decades due to two fatal diseases, greening and citrus canker, some farmers are turning to the pongamia tree, a climate-resilient tree with the potential to produce plant-based proteins and a sustainable biofuel.

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But unlike the orange and grapefruit trees that long occupied these rural Florida groves northwest of West Palm Beach, pongamia trees don’t need much attention.

Pongamia trees also don’t need fertilizer or pesticides. They flourish in drought or rainy conditions. And they don’t require teams of workers to pick the beans. A machine simply shakes the tiny beans from the branches when they’re ready to harvest.

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