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Jatropha Curcas |
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BABCO has introduced the Jatropha Curcas in test areas in St. Lucia, Sarawak and Malaysia in existing and new plantations for the growing and production of bio diesel. BABCO is supplying all the necessary proprietary, knowledge for the propagation of the seeds and is bringing the plant and equipment for the production of bio diesel. Jatropha Curcas, also known as the “Physic Nut” originated in the Caribbean. It is a drought-resistant perennial, growing well in marginal/poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives, producing seeds, for 50 years. From test trials it has been shown that Jatropha produces seeds with an oil content of 37%. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame, tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engines. The by-products are press cake, a good organic fertilizer, and oil, which contains insecticide. Jatropha grows wild in many areas of the world and even thrives on infertile soil. A good crop can be obtained with little effort. Depending on soil quality and rainfall, oil can be extracted from the Jatropha nuts after one to five years. The annual nut yield ranges from 0.5 to 12 tons. The whole kernel consists of oil to about 60 percent; this can be transformed into bio diesel fuel through esterification. Distribution and habitat The current distribution shows that introduction has been most successful in the drier regions of the tropics with annual rainfall of 300-1000 mm. It occurs mainly at lower altitudes (0-500 m) in areas with average annual temperatures well above 20°C but can grow at higher altitudes and tolerates slight frost. It grows on well-drained soils with good aeration and is well adapted to marginal soils with low nutrient content. It is recommended that the plant should be spaced between 4 and 6 feet for the best growing conditions. Botanical Features It is a small tree or shrub with smooth grey bark, which exudes white coloured, watery, latex when cut. Normally, it grows between three and five metres in height, but can attain a height of up to eight or ten meters under favourable conditions. There are male and female plants of the Jatropha Curcas. Leaves It has large green to pale-green leaves, alternate to sub-opposite, three-to five-lobed with a spiral phyllotaxis.
Flowers The petiole length ranges between 6-23 mm. The inflorescence is formed in the leaf axil. Flowers are formed terminally, individually, with female flowers usually slightly larger, and occur in the hot seasons. In conditions where continuous growth occurs, an unbalance of pistillate or staminate flower production results in a higher number of female flowers. Fruits Fruits are produced in winter when the shrub is leafless, or it may produce several crops during the year if soil moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high. Each inflorescence yields a bunch of approximately 10 or more ovoid fruits. Three bi-valved cocci are formed after the seeds mature and the fleshy exocarp dries. A fruit contains 2 or 3 large black seeds. Seeds The seeds become mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow, after two to four months. Flowering and fruiting habit The trees are deciduous, shedding the leaves in the dry season. Flowering occurs during the wet season and two flowering peaks are often seen. In permanently humid regions, flowering occurs throughout the year. The seeds mature about three months after flowering. Early growth is fast and with good rainfall conditions nursery plants may bear fruits after the first rainy season, direct sown plants after the second rainy season. The flowers are pollinated by insects, especially honey bees. Ecological Requirements Jatropha Curcas grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It can thrive on the poorest stony soil. It can grow even in the crevices of rocks. The leaves shed during the winter months form mulch around the base of the plant. The organic matter from shed leaves enhance earth-worm activity in the soil around the root-zone of the plants, which improves the fertility of the soil. Climate Regarding climate, Jatropha Curcas is found in the tropics and subtropics and likes heat, although it does well even in lower temperatures and can withstand a light frost. Its water requirement is extremely low and it can stand long periods of drought by shedding most of its leaves to reduce transpiration loss. Jatropha is also suitable for preventing soil erosion and shifting of sand dunes. Biophysical limits
Soil type: Grows on well-drained soils with good aeration and is well adapted to marginal soils with low nutrient content. On heavy soils, root formation is reduced. Jatropha is a highly adaptable species, but its strength as a crop comes from its ability to grow on very poor and dry sites. Jatropha Curcas growth is rapid, forms a thick live hedge after only one month of planting. Quickly establishes itself and will produce seeds all round the year. Motivational Factors The strongest motivation in the past was the concern about the vulnerable supply security of liquid fuels for the transport sector, as experienced worldwide by the oil supply shocks of the 70s and the Gulf war. As this coincided with an expensive agricultural overproduction in Europe, Bio fuel became the flagship of all non-food projects utilising set-aside land for energy production, which is today the second strongest reason; similarly the surplus in soybean oil is the driving force in the US. Today however, environmental concerns about global and local pollution have taken the lead as a motivational factor. But with the burden of high unemployment levels, the creation of additional jobs through local production of energy as liquid fuel has gained in weight significantly. Raw Materials: 1 Oil from rapeseed; sunflower oil; soy-bean oil 2 Palm oil, linseed oil, Jathropha Barriers and Measures for Improvement High cost of raw materials is today the strongest incentive and significant detaxation of well-founded internalisation of all the external costs (environment, supply security, renewable energy, new jobs, cheaper electricity, cheaper diesel fuel for public transport etc.) is seen as an effective tool.
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