%K Biodiesel, Biofuel
%C Nosworthy Way
%A S P Wani
%I CABI
%B Biofuel Crops: Production, Physiology and Genetics
%L icrisat7070
%P 312-338
%D 2013
%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.
%E B P Singh
%T Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)