Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Wood
Fencing
Charcoal production
Fuel wood
Insecticide
Feed stock for silk worm
Leaves
Anti inflammatory
To oth paste
Powder
Stem
Latex
Natural pesticide
Flowers
Roots
Tree
Bark
Bee food
Mollusk control
Medicinal purpose
Medicinal purpose
Carbon sink
Wound healing
Ta nnin for leather
industry
Lubricant
Oil
Seed cake
Seeds
Paint/varnish
Shell
Fertilizer
Biodiesel
Producer gas
Soap making
Fuel
Active
carbon
Biogas/producer gas
Cosmetic/medicine
Organic fertilizer
Briquettes
FIGure 14.1
Multiple uses of jatropha.
Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha
has as many as 476 species and is distributed throughout the world. Among
these species, 12 species are recorded in India. Jatropha is known by nearly 200 different names,
indicating its occurrence in various countries (Anonymous 2009a). It is a deciduous small tree or
a large shrub that can grow up to a height of 3-5 m with a productive life of 30-50 years (Gandhi
et al. 1995). The plant has a smooth gray bark that exudes watery and sticky latex when cut. When
the plant is trimmed and pruned, it sprouts readily and grows rapidly, making it suitable for fencing
(Anonymous 2009a). The plant develops a deep taproot system and has four shallow lateral roots.
The taproots stabilize the soil against landslides, whereas the shallow roots prevent and control soil
erosion caused by wind and water. The leaves are smooth with four to six lobes, 10-15 cm long and
wide, and are usually pale green in color. The plant produces flowers once in a year during the rainy
season. In permanently humid regions or under irrigated conditions, the flowers come throughout
the year. Fruits are produced in winter or throughout the year depending on temperature and soil
moisture. Seeds are encased within green shells of the fruit, and the color of the shells changes
to yellow once the fruit attains maturity. The dry
curcas
fruit contains 37.5% shell and 62.5%
seed. Seeds of jatropha resemble castor seeds in shape and are black in color. The seeds contain
42% husk/hull and 58% kernel (Singh et al. 2008).
14.3
cultural PractIces
14.3.1 E
cological
r
EquirEmEntS
Jatropha is well adapted to arid and semiarid conditions. It
grows almost anywhere except on
waterlogged lands. It can even grow on gravelly, sandy, and saline soils (Munch and Kiefer 1989;
Anonymous 2009b). It can thrive on the poorest stony soil and can grow even in the crevices of
rocks. It
also grows well in shallow soils and adapts to low-fertility sites. Better yields on poor
quality sites are obtained if fertilizer or manure containing small amounts of calcium, magnesium,
and sulfur is applied. Tigere et al. (2007) reported that jatropha can be established on marginal
land, paddocks, and contour ridges, hilly slopes, and gullies. For economic returns, a soil with
moderate fertility is preferred. The leaves shed during the winter months and form mulch around
the base of the plant. The organic matter from shed leaves enhances earthworm activity in the
