Jatropha curcas: beyond the myth of the miracle crop.

Vincent Volckaert – Regional Manager Africa - D1 Oils Plant Science
Jatropha curcas: beyond the myth of the miracle crop.

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5
Jatropha curcas L.

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Why Jatropha curcas?
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 Jatropha curcas is a hardy oilseed bearing tree.
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Centre of Origin in Central America.

Commonly used in tropical growing areas as a hedge and source of oil.

Can tolerate some drought spells.
 A plant of many revenue opportunities – oil, power generation, animal feed and fertiliser
 Strong global demand for a sustainable energy product, will help countries/ industries meet
climate treaty requirements.
 Jatropha curcas has high sustainability potential:

Can be mixed or intercropped alongside existing vegetables/grains, resulting in
additional and balanced cash income for farmers.

Potential GHG savings of up to 66%.
 Jatropha curcas remains to be domesticated.

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Some myths about Jatropha
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 1. Can grow anywhere, even on marginal soils.
 => Can survive in marginal conditions, but will
give marginal yields in those conditions.
 2. It’s a hardy non-edible tree.
 => Jatropha is not eaten by larger animals, but
has many pests and diseases
 3. Does not need fertilizer.
 => Jatropha can survive in low-nutrient conditions
but better growth and higher seed yield is
observed with higher nutrient levels.

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Myth 1: can grow in marginal conditions
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 Jatropha can survive in marginal conditions but
this also means marginal yield.
 Development of crop suitability criteria: annual
rainfall, minimum temperature, average
temperature, precipitation in driest and wettest
quarter, diurnal range, soil type, ..etc
 Red to Green maps

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Myth 2: Jatropha is a tough and robust tree
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 Single trees are looking healthy but once you grow the
crop in monoculture you will notice very quickly the
presence of several pests and diseases.
 These are now categorized in Major and Minor P&D.
 Eg Major P&D on continental Africa are the golden flea
beetle, leaf miner, mildew, termites, mites, ….
 Currently collecting data for label extensions of chemical
control agent together with the major Ag Chem
companies, but we are also looking at Integrated Pest
Management (IPM).
 More P&D on weaker plants, therefore important to have
healthy plants in the field.

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Myth 3: Does not need fertilizer
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 As any agricultural crops, Jatropha cannot grow without
nutrients.
 Single nutrient trials show clear response to fertilizer. In
African soils especially to Phosphorus in the early stages of
development.
 Currently setting up multi-factorial fertilizer trials running over
a number of years. These will give clear indications of nutrient
requirements of Jatropha.
 Observations: Response to organic fertilizer is impressive.
Early flowers on top of an old kraal.

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