Mission NewEnergy Ltd

Overview

  • Founded Date July 6, 1958
  • Sectors Accounting / Finance
  • Posted Jobs 0
  • Viewed 9
Bottom Promo

Company Description

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree: Jatropha Uses in The Landscape

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once promoted as the new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any type of soil at a fast rate, is harmful, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Continue reading for more Jatropha tree information and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

Jatropha is a perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to areas. The plant lives for up to 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually enticing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree details is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and hardy the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a great replacement for current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, however it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel dispute, as it requires land that could go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a “very Jatropha” with bigger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to eat due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has been introduced around the globe and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has been tried, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a miserable failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, but it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be accomplished with extra watering periodically. It doesn’t have any major illness or insect concerns in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

Gardening pointers, videos, information and more delivered right to your inbox!

Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and get a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.

Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.

Bottom Promo
Bottom Promo
Top Promo