Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds harvested at different stages of fruit maturation and two threshing methods. To analyze the mechanical damage rate an experiment was carried out with five stages of fruit maturation (green, yellow, ripe, dried on the ground and dried on the plant) threshed mechanically and manually. To evaluate the physiological quality, three tests were made; germination, vigor and electrical conductivity, all of them were applied in each storage (0, 120 and 240 days after harvest) and five stages of fruit maturation. It was feasible to infer that the maturation stage of yellow, ripe and dried on the plant fruits showed the best results of the physiological quality of the Jatropha curcas L. seeds. The manual threshing is also recommended in order to preserve the physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds. When the fruits were harvested at the appropriate stage of maturation (yellow, ripe and dry fruit on the plant) and threshing without mechanical damage, the Jatropha curcas L. seeds are possible to store for 240 days without loss in their germination. Regardless of the threshing system and the maturation stage, the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. lost their vigor from 120 days after harvested, when these seeds were stored in the shadow and in an environment without control on the relative humidity and air temperature.
Highlights
Because of the impact of environmental pollution by the emission of gas from petroleum, it is necessary the development of sustainable technology to produce alternative source of fuel
The physics feature of the fruits and seeds of Jatropha curcas L. in different maturation stages are shown on Table 1 and Table 2
The results showed that the length of green fruits were smaller than the other maturation stages of the fruits
Summary
Because of the impact of environmental pollution by the emission of gas from petroleum, it is necessary the development of sustainable technology to produce alternative source of fuel. As an example it is feasible to mention the use of biofuel that is obtained from vegetable oil, source of animal fat and the oil used to cook food. Brazil has a large number of plants varieties from the Euforbiaceas family. It is possible to extract vegetable oil from these plants to produce biofuel in large scale. The Jatropha curcas L. is quite important alternative to extract oil in large amount to produce biofuel in Brazil. Jatropha curcas L. belongs to the Euforbiaceas family, the same family of Manihot esculenta. The studies about Jatropha curcas L. more focus on chemical properties, medicinal use, and little in agronomic studies [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
