Abstract
Jatropha curcas (JC), as a biofuel plant, has been reported to have various desired characteristics such as high oil content seeds (27–40%), fast-growth, easy cultivation, drought tolerance, and can be grown on marginal soil and wasteland, requiring fewer nutrients and management and does not interfere with existing food crops, insects, and pest resistance. This investigation was the first study of its type to use climatological data, blue/green water footprints, and JC seed production to identify suitable sites for JC bioenergy plantation using the AquaCrop FAO model across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan. The JC seed yield (10 ton/ha) was at a maximum in the districts of Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, South Waziristan, and Dera Ismail Khan, in addition to its frontier regions, Tank, Peshawar, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera, respectively. Green water footprint (264 m3/ton of JC seed) and blue water footprint (825 m3/ton) was less in these areas. Furthermore, the results revealed that, depending on climatological circumstances, the southern part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is more appropriate for JC bioenergy plantation than the northern region. The districts of Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, South Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, and its frontier regions, Tank, Peshawar, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, and Kohat, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were identified to be the most ideal places for JC bioenergy plantation. As a result, under the Billion Tree Afforestation Project (BTAP) and the Green Pakistan Project, the Forest Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should consider planting JC species in the province’s southern region. Furthermore, this research will provide scientific information to government and private sector officials for better management and optimum yield of the JC biofuel crop, as well as for the promotion of energy forestry in Pakistan.
Highlights
The physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a non-food seed and oil crop that is a well-known source for biodiesel production around the world [1]
The site suitability for Jatropha curcas (JC) plantation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was determined by two methods, i.e., one is based on meteorological parameters, elevation, and slope, and the other is based on JC water footprint and yield
This study was conducted on site suitability for Jatropha curcas (JC) bioenergy plantation in northwest Pakistan
Summary
The physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a non-food seed and oil crop that is a well-known source for biodiesel production around the world [1] This crop was first planted on the Indian subcontinent in the 16th century by Portuguese merchants [2]. JC was a native plant of South American countries as well as Mexico, Meso-America, Central America, Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, but it is grown in all tropical regions [5,9,10,11,12,13] It is found in all tropics and subtropics [9,14,15,16], and it has adapted to a wide range of precipitation and soil conditions [17]. It is currently grown on a 1.8 million ha area in Indonesia, China, Brazil, India, and Africa to satisfy the need for biodiesel production [18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
