Bio-diesel from Jatropha curcas

Considering all the options available among non-edible Tree Bearing Oil (TBO) seeds, Jatropha Curcas has been identified as the most suitable seed. Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175 succulents, shrubs and trees from the family Euphorbiaceae. Plants from the genus are natives of Africa , North America and the Caribbean . Originating in the Caribbean , the Jatropha had spread as a valuable hedge plant to Africa , Asia and to India by Portuguese traders. Jatropha Curcas is a widely occurring variety of TBO. It grows practically all over India under a variety of agro-climatic conditions. Thus it ensures a reasonable production of seeds with very little inputs.

The advantages of Jatropha:

• Jatropha can be grown in arid zones (20 cm rainfall) as well as in higher rainfall zones and even on land with thin soil cover.

• It is quick yielding specie even in adverse land situations viz. degraded and barren lands under forest and non-forest use, dry and drought prone areas, marginal lands, even on alkaline soils and also as agro-forestry crops.

• Jatropha can be a good plantation material for eco-restoration in all types of wasteland.

• Jatropha grows readily from plant cuttings or seeds up to the height of 3 – 5 m.

• Jatropha is not considered good forage material.

• The plant is highly pest and disease resistant.

• Various parts of the plant are of medicinal value, its bark contains tannin, the flowers attract bees and thus the plant is honey production potential.

• Jatropha removes carbon from the atmosphere, stores it in the woody tissues and assists in the build up of soil carbon.
  
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