%0 Book Section
%A Wani, S P
%B Biofuel Crops: Production, Physiology and Genetics
%C Nosworthy Way
%D 2013
%E Singh, B P
%F icrisat:7070
%I CABI
%K Biodiesel, Biofuel
%P 312-338
%T Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)
%U http://oar.icrisat.org/7070/
%X The claim of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) being a wonder plant is based on its perceived ability to grow successfully in semi-arid environmental conditions and on degraded soils. This chapter describes the (i) plant root traits and their significance for drought tolerance; (ii) jatropha plantations' impact on hydrological processes (water balance, sediment transport and soil loss) and soil and environmental quality (carbon and nutrient sequestration and soil biology in the plant rhizosphere); (iii) cultivation including vegetative propagation, application of fertilizers and growth regulators, pruning, insect pests and diseases, intercropping, and seed yield; and (iv) genetic improvement involving assessment of variability in jatropha accessions using molecular markers. The factors controlling up-scaling of jatropha cultivation are also discussed.