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Jatropha
QUICK FACTS
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Crotonoideae
Tribe: Jatropheae
Genus: Jatropha
Also known as:
- Pinhão manso in Brazil
- Tempate in Nicaragua
- Physic Nut in the United States
- Haat in Mexico
- Ratan Jyot in Hindi
- Kattamanakku in Tamil
DEFINITION
Jatropha is primarily a tropical genus of approximately
175 succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous,
like Jatropha curcas L.), from the family Euphorbiaceae.
Jatropha is indigenous to Central America, but has been
raised in other tropical and subtropical areas such as
India, Africa, and North America. Jatropha was initially
used as a valuable hedge plant and was exported to Africa
and Asia by Portuguese traders. The flowers and stem of
Jatropha curcas have well-known medicinal properties,
and the leaves are used for dressing wounds. The oil has
been used as an organic insecticide as well as an effective
treatment for snake bites and other ailments.
The mature Jatropha trees bear male and female inflorescence,
and can grow to a height of three to four meters. Each
inflorescence bears up to 10 to 15 large fruits and Jatropha
generally blooms twice a year under normal conditions.
Jatropha is desirable as a source for biofuels given that
its seeds produce up to 40% oil, and the species in general
is highly resistant to drought and pests. Processed oil
from crushed mature seeds can be used in existing standard
diesel engines, while the residue can also be processed
into biomass to power electricity plants. The seed cake,
a by-product of oil production can be used as a natural
organic fertilizer rich in organic matter. Research is
underway to remove the toxic element prevalent in the
seed cake to render it useful as an animal feed.
JATROPHA CULTIVATION
Jatropha is easy to cultivate. It can survive in degraded
soils and in areas that are susceptible to long periods
of drought. Jatropha is ideal for cultivation on marginal
land, leaving prime areas available for food crops.
JATROPHA OIL YIELD
Jatropha seed yields 35-40% oil.
JATROPHA PLANT LIFESPAN
Jatropha takes approximately 12 to 15 months from planting
to first harvest, and the plant can thrive successfully
for 40 years. |
