Luther Burbank Coachella Agriculture Station

Species and varieties of potential new desert crops are collected from around the world, propagated, and trials conducted.  These include improved spineless Opuntia (pad) fruiting cactus, vigorous Opuntia varieties for young pad (Nopalitos), other edible cactus, desert adapted Olive trees, self pollinating almonds, many types of low chill fruit trees, perennial vegetables, Neem tree varieties, African Moringa, medicinal plants, multipurpose trees, new desert fruits and nuts including Argania and Marula, low-chill fruits, and greenhouse crops.  Productive species that demonstrate adaptability are made available to growers, small farms, gardeners, for edible landscapes, and international programs/projects. Available from the LBCAS nursery. 

The improved fruiting spinless Opuntia cactus (Nopal) has enormous potential for desert agriculture and is a vast, untapped resource owing to its high adaptation and many products including biofuel ad carbon credits. Improved varieties have good fruit quality, and are suitable for young pad production (Nopalitos), used for food. Both products are very popular throughout the Hispanic community, and a large ready market exists for improved types.  A true perennial desert fruit and vegetable plant with bioactive compounds.  High biomass production suitable for biofuel, carbon sequestration.  Post harvest processing of the fruit and pads provide many finished products, including fruit drinks, instant beverage powders, capsules, and teas.  Currently found in many natural products and supplements. Available from the LBCAS nursery.

Collection, testing, and propagation the best perennial vegetables of the world with the potential to grow under varied conditions.  Some require summer shade and are suitable for intercropping, others are adapted to full summer sun.  All share the characteristics of low maintenance, few pests and diseases, high nutritional value, and palatability.  They include ground covers, vines, shrubs, and hedgerow trees.    For commercial growers, plus edible landscape and home use. Highly suited to multi-level mixed agroforestry systems and polyculture. Also supplied to tropical developing countries for commercial use, community nutrition and family food production. Perennial vegetables are good candidates for carbon sequestration.  Available from the LBCAS nursery.

The African Moringa  (Moringa stenopetela), is a far superior species compared to common Moringa (Moringa oleifera), with larger leaves, faster growth, and improved bushy form.  A true multipurpose tree.  Propagation research is underway to make this rare species widely available for growers of all sizes. Moringa leaves are extremely high in complete protein, vitamins, and minerals, also with medicinal qualities. Highly adapted to hot, low deserts and coastal areas.  Excellent for continuous, low coppiced hedgerow production and intercropping in agroforestry.  Currently found in many natural products.  Moringa oleifera trees also available.  Moringa has  climate change mitigation potential. Available from the LBCAS nursery.

The earth holds many well researched medicinal plants having efficacy and safety. Species are collected, tested and propagated to determine adaptability and commercial plus home use potential. Some are adapted to desert conditions, others show higher production in greenhouse or shade house structures. Examples of medicinal crops are Turmeric, Neem, Artemesia, selected plants with strong anti anxiety activity, and medicinal cactus such as Hoodia. Many species have a ready market and are currently found in natural products and supplements. For home use, it is important to cultivate medicinal plants with researched and effective active compounds, in order to create a "living family pharmacy". Available from the LBCAS nursery. 

Although most cultivation takes place in European countries, olives (Olea europea) are highly adapted to desert conditions with irrigation.  It is essential to utilize appropriate varieties that can withstand high heat and dry environments.  Due to the high demand for medicinal, quality olive oil, olive cultivation has good potential for commercial desert operations, and for small or family farms producing a special varietal, estate, or hand made extra virgin olive oil.  In addition, table olives may be processed and placed in jars with a variety of brined and pickled types, also highly suitable for small and family farm use.   LBCAS is currently testing varieties of desert adapted olives for production data and cultivation methods.   Contract propagation available from the LBCAS nursery. 

Selected  plants are propagated for commercial growers, homeowners, gardeners, and edible landscapers. Custom propagation to order is available. An on-site nursery allows purchase of retail and wholesale quantities, while being able to view mature specimens in demonstration areas.  Species include the perennial vegetable collection, Opuntia fruiting cactus, medicinal plants, Neem trees, nitrogen fixing trees, Eucalyptus trees for windbreaks, and other useful plants.  Please contact for nursery appointments or individual/group facility tours and classes.

The Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) from India is regarded as one of the best and most useful multi- purpose trees in the world.  Known as "the tree for solving global problems", and the "village pharmacy".  Neem leaves are highly medicinal with numerous active compounds, and the seed oil is the basis for many well known and safe commercial  pesticides used commonly in both organic and conventional agriculture.  The tree is very fast growing, with high adaptation to hot desert and dry land, and tropical conditions.  Grown in low coppiced hedgerows for leaf production or spaced further for seed.  Excellent for intercropping and agroforestry systems. Currently found in many supplement and health/beauty products.  Available from the LBCAS nursery. 

Desert environments are well suited to greenhouse operations due to a mild winter  climate with many days of sun. With roof venting, or the addition of shade cloth, greenhouses can also be utilized in the summer.  A wide range of crops can be grown, including tomatoes, cucumber, squash, peppers, eggplant, perennial vegetables, medicinal plants such as turmeric and ginger, tropical fruit trees, and other innovative crops that do not normally grow in the desert, but will produce the earliest crop in the country, such as berries, lychee, and cherries. Commercial or home use greenhouse and shade house structures are available in kit or finished.

Low input sustainable strategies are crucial in the to conserve water, fertilizer, reduce weeds, and minimize labor.  Various strategies are researched, tested and demonstrated, such as heavy mulching with various local materials, no till operations, using nitrogen fixing tree hedgerows for on-site fertilizer and mulch production, biomass producing plants, polyculture, and use of Neem trees for on-site pesticide production.  Multi-level mixed agroforestry with perennial crops significantly reduces inputs and maintenance.  These strategies all serve to reduce the agricultural carbon footprint, and result in carbon sequestration. Nitrogen fixing trees available from the LBCAS nursery.