The Floral Biology of Jatropha curcas L.—A Review

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) has attracted considerable recent attention as a potential horticultural crop based on the quality of its oil seed for biodiesel production, and its ability to grow in unproductive subtropical or subdesert soils. Additionally, several characteristics of the species make it a good model for a more thorough understanding of the reproductive biology of a species undergoing the domestication process. To date, there is limited information about its reproductive patterns and the genetics involved. Such information is necessary for developing efficient agronomic practices and for guiding the research needed to more fully understand the species’ reproduction processes. J. curcas has an inconsistent mating system, which presents both opportunities and challenges in developing breeding strategies and agronomic practices. Unraveling the mating system of J. curcas can increase our understanding of the evolution of reproduction systems in monoecious plants. The influences of environmental factors on flowering and floral organ development have not been reported under either field or controlled conditions. Moreover, no genetic mechanisms controlling the characteristics of the flowering (architecture, sex expression and sex ratios) have been proposed. The present review assesses and synthesizes the current knowledge of the floral biology of J. curcas. It provides a description of the species, its reproductive organs and reproductive patterns, and discussing the factors influencing them.