Soil improver and soil remediation
Sesbania bispinosa is a good soil improver: fallen leaves, leftover stalks and roots add organic matter to the soil. The roots improve soil permeablility. It is useful for alkaline and saline soils remediation (Orwa et al., 2009; Qadir et al., 2002; NAS, 1980). Prickly sesban is a N-fixing legume and is often used as green manure in rice fields where it yields up to 12 t/ha (Arunin et al., 1987). Ploughing in foliage 60-70 days after planting and just before rice being planted out improves rice yield as much as an application of 80 kg - 150 kg N/ha (Orwa et al., 2009; Arunin et al., 1987).
Shelter and cover crop
Prickly sesban is used to provide windbreaks, hedges, erosion control, and shade and cover for crops. It is grown in alley-farming systems (Orwa et al., 2009). It competes strongly with weeds and may be useful in controlling Imperata cylindrica (Duke, 1983; NAS, 1980).