Abstract
A phenological, physical and chemical descriptive study was carried out on six germplasms of Jatropha curcas L. collected from different areas of Mexico. From these six germplasms, elite germplasms that are better adaptable, with high seed, oil and protein yield, and low levels of phorbol esters were identified. The thermal constant (2570 ± 9) and seed weight (0.695 ± 0.065 g) were similar in all the six germplasms. The average plant height was 1.47 ± 0.25 m after one year of evaluation. Variation in the number of inflorescences (0 to 22) and seed yield (27.35 ± 22.65 g) per plant, and fruit per cluster (2.9 ± 2.2) was considerable. Kernel oil and crude protein contents were 57 ± 3% and 26 ± 2%, respectively. Germplasms India and Isla (Veracruz) had the highest levels of phorbol esters (5.982 and 2.070 mg∙g-1, respectively). The reproductive stage and phorbol esters content were critical in selecting elite germplasms. Based on our results, we were able to select three elite germplasms. Key words: Jatropha curcas, elite germplasm, accumulated degree days (ADD), yield, oil, protein, phorbol esters
Highlights
Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha), a plant native to Mexico and Central America, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family
Plant phenological stages of the six J. curcas germplasms were recorded during the one year growth period
The thermal constant of 2570 ± 9 accumulated degree days (ADD) was similar for all the germplasms
Summary
Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha), a plant native to Mexico and Central America, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Seeds of Jatropha growing in different areas vary in protein, oil and phorbol ester contents, but, the basis of these differences has not been determined (Ginwal et al, 2005; Makkar et al, 1997; Rathree, 2004; Martinez-Herrera et al, 2006; Machado and Suarez, 2009). Apart from the commonly toxic wild seeds of Jatropha found in Africa, Asia and America, non-toxic J. curcas wild seeds have been found in Mexico These seeds have low (< 1.78 mg∙g-1) or non-detectable levels of phorbol esters, and are used for human consumption in Veracruz, Morelos and Quintana Roo States (MartinezHerrera et al, 2006; Makkar et al, 1998).
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