Dear Sir
Germination of seed - Jatropha is very much unreliable in terms of seed germination. Germination of seed varies from 10% to 95%. Pre-treatment of seed in boiled warm water (50oC) followed by overnight soaking in the same water for 12 h results into higher germination percentage as compared to untreated directly sown seed.
Climate – Jatropha grows well under warm and humid climate. Hot day temperature between 30 to 35oC is suitable for growth of Jatropha. Very low temperature less than 15oC affect the growth of plants. Fruit setting is badly affected under hot and dry temperature of above 40oC or below 10oC.
Soil – Jatropha can grow in any type of soil. Sandy loam of light soil is ideal for jatropha plantation. It can be grown in any type of wastelands. It can grow at pH level of 5 to 8.
Plant Spacing - Under un-irrigated conditions jatropha should be planted at 2 X 2 meter spacing but under irrigated condition plant spacing should be wider. It was observed that a spacing of 4 x 1.5 meter and 3 x 1.5 was better than 2 x 2 meter.
Irrigation – Though jatropha is not heavy water requiring plant can tolerate drought conditions, however one irrigation is required at least in a month during summer period. Unirrigated conditions do not support proper growth of jatropha plant specially during first year of planting.
Pruning & Training – This is an essential operation for jatropha cultivation. To enhance the number of shoots and provide a proper shape to plant pruning is essential. Results of the previous 3 years of experiment in jatriopha plantation indicate that pruning at different height should be done from first year of planting. Regular pruning provide sufficient sunlight to new shoot and result into compact umbrella shape bush type tree. An ideal number of 60 to 80 new shoots should be maintained for increasing yield and facilitate proper flowering.
Harvesting- Jatropha plants have the potential to yield seed as high as up to 6 -7 kg per plant In few part of country 10 to 12 kg of seed from single plant have been harvested. However 3 to 4 kg seed per plant after 5 yearscan be harvested under well management practices
Intercropping in Jatropha plantation
Jatopha is an evergreen shrub, therefore this can be used as a shade provider for many shade loving crops. Intercropping in jatropha plantation may become additional source of income. After 3 years of primary experiment it was concluded that patchouli, vetiver, pulses etc could be grown as good intercrop for jatropha. Patchouli grow well in the shades of jatorpha. Patchouli requires a partial shade of about 40 to 50% for proper aromatic oil yield.
Biogas from Jatropha oil cake
Jatropha oil cake contains toxic alkaloid called jatrophine therefore it is non-edible. About 50% oil cake is obtained after oil extraction of decorticated seed. This oil cake can be utilized for biogas production. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the potential of jatropha oil-cake in biogas production at ABLR research farm. After 12 months of experimentation a successful model of jatropha oil cake based biogas plant has been evolved. This includes combination of anaerobic microbial cultures for bio-methanation of cake, proper liquidation of cakes in slurry medium and a modified biogas plant.
From 2 Kg of oil cake 1 cubic meter of biogas can be produced which is equivalent to produce 2 KW of electicity.
For more details contact
ADITYA BIOTECH LAB AND RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Chandinidih, Nandanvan Raod,
Raipur (Chhattisgarh), India - 492001
Phone - +91 - 0771-2572177, 3291015
Website -
Aditya Biotech Lab And Research Pvt. Ltd. (www.adbindia.com)
E-mail-
adbindia@rediffmail.com
abdindia@rediffmail.com
HEAD OFFICE
Nalghar Chowk, Chotta Para
Raipur (Chhattisgarh), India - 492001
Phone :- (0771)-3290850, 2534854
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Email :-
adbindia@rediffmail.com
abdindia@rediffmail.com
Regards
Kirti
jatropha
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