Abstract
Jatropha curcas L., a multipurpose plant originated from Central and South America, is receiving increase interest as a biofuel feedstock. Desirable characteristics such as drought tolerance and the ability to grow in marginal lands with low inputs, triggered the development of several projects around the World, not always successful. In fact, despite this hype, J. curcas remains a new crop for which the agronomic requirements are not yet fully understood. For example water requirements of the crop are subject to debate, and in the initial growth stages a considerable amount of water is necessary. We performed a glasshouse experiment to study the influence of water levels and the use of soil conditioners in the growth and development of J. curcas seedlings in the nursery. Results show a positive influence of water level on most of the growth and development parameters studied. The use of soil conditioners also did contributed to a better plant growth. A combination of moderate supply of water and soil conditioners could allow water saving of about 50% in the nursery.
Highlights
Jatropha curcas L. is a perennial shrub or tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae which in the last decades has received considerable attention from researchers and several stakeholders due to, among many uses, its potential as a feedstock for renewable biofuel production and the ability to grow in marginal lands with less water and nutrients
The mean annual temperature range was 19.3–27.2 oC. These findings suggest that J. curcas can stand drought has a natural preference for more water than initial estimates would suppose
To study the influence of water level and soil conditioner on growth and development of J. curcas in the nursery we established a trial in a glasshouse at the Tropical Botanical Garden in Lisbon, Portugal, which ran from 10 June
Summary
Jatropha curcas L. is a perennial shrub or tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae which in the last decades has received considerable attention from researchers and several stakeholders due to, among many uses, its potential as a feedstock for renewable biofuel production and the ability to grow in marginal lands with less water and nutrients. J. curcas seeds contain about 25–35% of oil, which can be extracted and used both for biodiesel production and as cooking/lighting fuel, medicine, bio-pesticide, and for soap making. The seed cake, an oil extraction by-product, can be used as organic fertilizer, combustible fuel, for biogas production (IFAD-FAO, 2010) and feedstuff after detoxification (Wang et al, 2011). In 2008, 242 Jatropha projects, totalling approximately 900.000 hectares were identified (GEXSI, 2008). Expectations of increase in production are high, 1–2 million hectares are expected to be annually planted, reaching 12.8 million hectares worldwide by 2015 (Contran et al, 2013, GEXSI, 2008)
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