Enhancing Soil Quality and Sustainable Agriculture: A Review of Black Plum (Syzygium cumini) for Soil Amendment and Productivity

Jamun (Syzygium cumini), widely known as black plum, is a highly adaptable fruit-bearing tree with exceptional nutritional, medicinal, and ecological advantages. Despite its resilience in tropical and semi-arid regions, especially in areas like Northern Nigeria, its integration into formal agricultural systems remains minimal. This review synthesizes current findings on the plant’s agronomic traits, physiological behavior, postharvest value chains, and soil-enhancing potential. It aims to spotlight scientific developments, underline its contributions to sustainable farming systems, and uncover the knowledge gaps restricting its broader utilization. The work also emphasizes its potential to support food resilience, ecological rehabilitation, and economic empowerment in resource-challenged zones.