Jatropha curcas

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Jatropha curcas

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Eudicots

(unranked): Rosids

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Genus: Jatropha
 Species: J. curcas

Binomial name

Jatropha curcas
L.[1]

Jatropha curcas is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is
native to the American tropics, most likely Mexico and Central America.[2] It is cultivated in
tropical and subtropical regions around the world, becoming naturalized in some areas. The
specific name, curcas, was first used by Portuguese doctor Garcia de Orta more than 400
years ago and is of uncertain origin.[3] Common names include Barbados Nut, Purging Nut,
and Physic Nut. J. curcas is a poisonous, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching a
height of 6 m (20 ft).[2]
It is resistant to a high degree of aridity, allowing it to be grown in deserts.[4][5]
The seeds contain 27-40% oil[6] (average: 34.4% [7]) that can be processed to produce a high-
quality biodiesel fuel, usable in a standard diesel engine.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 Botanical features
• 2 Cultivation
• 3 Propagation
• 4 Gallery
• 5 Processing
• 6 Uses
○ 6.1 Biodiesel
○ 6.2 Other uses
• 7 Other names
• 8 See also
• 9 Notes
• 10 References
• 11 External links

[edit] Botanical features

• Leaves: large green to pale-green leaves.
• Flowers: more female flowers yield more seeds
• Fruits : fruits are produced in winter, or there may be several crops during the year if
soil moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high.
• Seeds: the seeds are mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow.
[edit] Cultivation
Jatropha curcas seeds
Cultivation is uncomplicated. Jatropha curcas grows in tropical and subtropical regions.[8]
The plant can grow in wastelands and grows on almost any terrain, even on gravelly, sandy
and saline soils. It can thrive in poor and stony soils, although new research suggests that the
plant's ability to adapt to these poor soils is not as extensive as had been previously stated.
Complete germination is achieved within 9 days. Adding manure during the germination has
negative effects during that phase, but is favorable if applied after germination is achieved. It
is usually propagated by cuttings as this yields faster results than multiplication by seeds. The
flowers only develop terminally (at the end of a stem), so a good ramification (plants
presenting many branches) produces the greatest amount of fruits. Another productivity
factor is the ratio between female and male flowers within an inflorescence (usually about 1
female to 10 male flowers - more female flowers mean more fruits)[9]. Jatropha curcas
thrives on a mere 250 mm (10 in) of rain a year, and only during its first two years does it
need to be watered in the closing days of the dry season. Ploughing and planting are not
needed regularly, as this shrub has a life expectancy of approximately forty years. The use of
pesticides and other polluting substances are not necessary, due to the pesticidal and
fungicidal properties of the plant.
While Jatropha curcas starts yielding from 9–12 months time, the effective yield is obtained
only after 2 – 3 years time.
If planted in hedges, the reported productivity of Jatropha is from 0.8 kg. to 1.0 kg. of seed
per meter of live fence. The seed production is around 3.5 tons / hectare (Seed production
ranges from about 0.4 tons per hectare in first year to over 5 tons per hectare after 3 years).
[edit] Propagation
Jatropha curcas has limited potential for vegetative propagation and is usually propagated by
seed (Condradiction - see talk page. It is cross-pollinated and propagation through seed leads to a lot of
genetic variability in terms of growth, biomass, seed yield and oil content. Besides, the
problems of low viability and recalcitrant nature of oil seeds limits the sexual propagation.
On the other hand, clonal techniques will help in overcoming the biological problems
hindering mass propagation of this tree-borne oilseed species.
Jatropha curcas can be propagated by seed as well as vegetatively. Propagation by seed.
Vegetatively, this crop can be propagated by stem cuttings, grafting, budding as well as by air
layering techniques.[10] The investigation leads to the recommendation that cuttings should be
taken preferably from juvenile plants and treated with 200 micro gram per litre of IBA
(rooting hormone) to ensure the highest level of rooting in stem cuttings of Jatropha curcas.
Thus stem cuttings, grafting, budding and air layering methods of propagation could be used
as a potential protocol for commercial propagation of Jatropha curcas.
[edit] Gallery

propagation of Jatropha propagation of Jatropha propagation of Jatropha curcas

curcas by stem cutting curcas by grafting by Air layering

[edit] Processing
Seed extraction is made simple with the use of the Universal Nut Sheller, an appropriate
technology designed by the Full Belly Project.
Oil content varies from 28% to 30% and 94% extraction, one hectare of plantation will give
1.6t (metric tonne) of oil if the soil is average. [11]
The oily seeds are processed into oil, which may be used directly ("Straight Vegetable Oil")
to fuel combustion engines or may be subjected to transesterification to produce biodiesel.
Jatropha oil is not suitable for human consumption, as it induces strong vomiting and
diarrhea.
A colourant can also be derived from the seed.
[edit] Uses
[edit] Biodiesel
Main article: Jatropha oil
[edit] Other uses
(The information in this section is largely inspired from the Purdue University - Center for
New Crops and Plants Products website [12].)
• Leaves
The young leaves may be safely eaten, steamed or stewed. Cooked with goat meat,
they are said to advantageously counteract its smell.
Pounded leaves are applied near horses' eyes to repel flies in India. HCN (Hydrogen
cyanide) is present in the leaves.
• Flowers
The species is listed as a honey plant. HCN is present.[13].
• Nuts
Sometimes roasted and eaten, although they are purgative.
They can be burned like candlenuts when strung on grass. HCN is present[14].
Used as a contraceptive in South Sudan[15].
• Seeds
Also used as a contraceptive in South Sudan[15].
 The oil has been used for illumination, soap, candles, the adulteration of olive oil, and
making Turkey red oil. Turkey red oil, also called sulphonated (or sulfated) castor oil,
is the only oil that completely disperses in water. It is made by adding sulfuric acid to
pure Jatropha oil[16]. It was the first synthetic detergent after ordinary Soap, as this
allows easy use for making bath oil products. It is used in formulating lubricants,
softeners, and dyeing assistants[17].
The seeds in the zone around Misantla, Veracruz are very appreciated by the
population as food once they have been boiled and roasted. It is unclear if this is due
to the existence of a non-toxic variety of Jatropha in Mexico and Central America, or
if the seeds become edible once processed by cooking[18].
It is also similarly reported that Jatropha seeds are edible once the embryo has been
removed[19]. Again it may be so because of these seeds coming from a local non-toxic
variety. HCN is present.
• Roots
Their ashes are used as a salt substitute. HCN and Rotenone are present.[20]
• Bark
Used as a fish poison. HCN is present.[21].
• Latex
Strongly inhibits the watermelon mosaic virus[22].
• Sap
It stains linen. Sometimes used for marking[23].
• Shrub
Mexicans grow the shrub as a host for the lac insect, which is used in medicine as
hepatoprotective and antiobesity drug. (Picture of lac insect here [4]; drawing of
insect, its larva and a colony here[5])
Used for erosion control[24],[25]
[edit] Other names
• Kadam in Nepal
• Saruwa in Nepal
• Pinhão manso in Brazil
• Tempate in Nicaragua
• kasla also tubatuba or tubang bakod in Philippines
• Purging nut
• Jarak pagar in Indonesia
• Mbono in Tanzania
• Pourghère in Francophone Africa
• Lahong Kwang in Cambodia
• Cay Dau Lai in Viet Nam
• Dang iu ciu in Taiwan
• Lapalapa in [Nigeria]
• uMhlafutho in Zimbabwe (in isiNdebele)
• Aamanaku in India(Tamil Nadu)
 • "'Mak Nyao"' in Lao
[edit] See also
• Jatropha
• Energy crop
• Non food crop
[edit] Notes
1. ^ "Jatropha curcas L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States
Department of Agriculture. 2008-08-29. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?
20692. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
CENTRE FOR JATROPHA PROMOTION
Building a sustainable biodiesel industry

Growing Diesel Fuel Plant

Centre for Jatropha Promotion & Biodiesel (CJP) is the Global authority for scientific
commercialization of Jatropha & other non-food biofuel crops and designs and implements the growing
of non-food biofuel crops worldwide in a structured Agri-Supply chain, Value additions and research
activities thereon & provides technology and services from “Soil to Oil” for the breeding, development,
planting and harvesting of next-generation commercial biofuel crops
CJP has been engaged in promoting sustainable farming for biodiesel production
since last one decade and its research findings and on-hand field experiences in
respect of various technical, agronomical/silvicultural aspects of plantations of
Jatropha have resulted in significant improvements in knowledge and technical
background related to Productivity, profitability and sustainability of commercial
production of Jatropha oil crop. The CJP has focused on the development of
Jatropha Curcas and other non-food biodiesel crops. Our primary goal is to
discover and develop high-yielding crops that generate the most bio-energy per
hectare of land. We have identified and developed new elite varieties of feedstock crops optimized for
production under different agro-climatic conditions, economic and social parameters.
CJP has also identified, experimented and developed following other oil seed bearing trees [OSBT] and
non-food oil crops and. Working on further development and cultivation of the same
• Alage
• Jojoba (Simmondsia chinesis)
• Karanja (Pongamia pinnata)
• Kokum (Garcinia indica)
• Mahua (Madhuca indica)
• Neem (Azadirachta indica)
• Simarouba (Simarouba glauca)
• Moringa oleifera
• Tumba (Citrullus colocynthis),
• Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)
• Ricinus communis
• Camelina

Energy & Environmental Security: Biodiesel

Decreasing oil production from almost all the oil reserves is attracting the world’s
eyes towards renewable energy sources. The availability of oil, the key fossil fuel
of the last one hundred years, is peaking, and that production and availability is
declining. However, demand for oil continues to grow. Rising energy consumption
and environmental issues has now shifted the focus towards biofuel use,
particularly in transportation. Food production and transport are particularly dependent on diesel engines
and biodiesel is a crucial part of bringing energy security benefits to the global food supply. In times of
international terrorism, there are heightened concerns about nuclear proliferation, and Energy Security
argues that the future must belong to bio- energy. If we can achieve energy security we can not only
free ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels - we can also realize environmental security and a whole
host of other central developmental and poverty alleviation goals

Global Financial & Climate Crisis

In the midst of the most severe global financial crisis in decades, the CJP urged
the international community to look for innovative solutions to avert a climate
crisis. The renewable fuel may lead developing countries in reducing emissions
from deforestation, improving energy efficiency, and transforming urban transport.
Such an approach can simultaneously support economic recovery and encourage
growth in areas that mitigate the impact of climate change. By promoting a shift
towards low carbon economic activities, governments can not only help avoid
dangerous climate change impacts but can also make the region more competitive,
contributing to a faster recovery from the current economic slowdown. With oil prices falling, increased
investments in green technologies are not going to be an easy sell. However, there is growing support
from businesses, government and civil society for the idea that the crisis itself provides an opportunity
to create incentives for a low carbon development path
The international energy agency recently issued a warning proclaiming that the era
of cheap oil is over. It further went ahead to predict that crude oil prices would
soon rebound to above $100 a barrel to trade, in real terms adjusted by inflation,
at an average of more than $100 from 2008 to 2015.
Demand for oil and crude prices may be falling with the economic slowdown, but
that could well lead to a supply-side crunch in the next year or so, and that will
push oil prices higher again. And that is the big challenge. The industry needs to
be prepared for tomorrow, even in these uncertain times. If we do not act now,
another round of price spiral may not be far off. Had we been equipped with biofuels, we would have
been able to avert the economic crisis which has mainly been caused by high oil prices. Any biodiesel
project proposal takes around 3-5 years to come into existence and starts positive cash flow. As such it
is high time to plan and construct biodiesel industry and be prepared for any next financial slowdown
Global production of biofuels is growing steadily and will continue to do so despite
financial slowdown. The world biofuel market’s value is likely to attain a CAGR of
around 14.7% during 2006-2016. The rapid development of the global biodiesel
industry has been closely observed by countries interested in stimulating economic
growth, improving the environment and reducing dependency on imported oil.
Developing Biofuels represents the most immediate and available response to at
least five key challenges and opportunities:
1. Coping with depleting oil reserves
2. The need for oil-importing countries to reduce their dependence on a limited number of
exporting nations by diversifying their energy sources and suppliers;
3. The chance for emerging economies in tropical regions to supply the global energy market with
competitively priced liquid biofuels;
4. Meeting growing energy demand in developing countries, in particular to support development
in rural areas;
5. And the commitments taken to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions as part of
the battle against climate change ations that have embarked on a biofuel
driven model for economic development need to evolve the right protocols
and systems to plan and implement such initiatives in a sustainable
manner. This would mean factoring the impact of competition for other
land uses, such as production of food or other crops at the concept stage
itself. Feedstocks for biofuel remain at the core of any biofuels venture.
Biofuels offers new growth opportunities in many rural areas of developing
countries, but it’s important to guarantee the livelihoods and well-being of the most vulnerable.
We must ensure that the price of food does not impair the food security of
the poor.

Alternative Feedstock

The emerging industry is facing a lack of feedstock supplies and needs initiatives in
crop cultivation technologies and competitive sourcing of appropriate feedstock -
all of which can alter the biofuel economics. As such the greatest challenges to the
widespread deployment and use of biofuels is developing a dedicated energy crops that are cost-
effective, easy to sustain and can produce greater yields. Such energy crop that produces biofuels and
holds particular promise for sustainable development and a sustainable environment is Jatropha and
other non-food crops. Since feedstock is the single largest cost component in biodiesel production, this
considerably less expensive feed stock give the producers a significant cost advantage over producers
use rapeseed and soybean oil. To break the link between biodiesel feedstock and food products;
Jatropha and other non-food oil bearing crops are the cheapest and the viable business propositions.

Sustainaility

Given the realities of the biodiesel markets, a successful biodiesel business plan
begins with an effective feedstock strategy from which process design flows. To
make biodiesel a long-term business opportunity, attention must be to the critical
issue of availability of right feedstock at right cost. Jatropha will be a vast source
of biofuel and a key to reducing our dependence on fossil fuel Jatropha can bring
significant environmental benefits. It can replace jet fuel and diesel from
petroleum without interfering with food crops or leading to the clearing of forests.
The good thing about Jatropha is that you're producing a tree shrub that lives for a
long time and does its job, producing oil, while it also sequesters lots of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
Jatropha is a valuable multi-purpose crop to alleviate soil degradation,
desertification and deforestation, which can be used for bio-energy to replace
petro-diesel, for soap production and climatic protection, and hence deserves
specific attention
Jatropha can help to increase rural incomes, self-sustainability and alleviate
poverty for women, elderly, children and men, tribal communities, small farmers.
It can as well help to increase income from plantations and agro-industries.
There are various trees that are suitable for bio-diesel production. Out of all these
trees, Jatropha must be regarded as a sure inclusion and the foundation around
which a plan can be built if for nothing but its pure hardiness and stress handling
ability.
It is just a tree that has enough credentials. That is why the Planning Commission
of India has nominated it as ideal plant for biodiesel.

Carbon Savings

Biodiesel produced from Jatropha is one of the most promising solutions for tackling the growing carbon
emissions from transport

Food Versus Fuel

Rushing to turn food crops — maize, wheat, sugar, palm oil — into fuel for cars,
without first examining the impact on global hunger, would be a recipe for
disaster. Among the potential impacts identified are increasing food prices,
increasing competition over land and forests, forced evictions, impacts on
employment and conditions of work, and increasing prices and scarcity of water.
That is why Jatropha was recently recommended as a biofuels crop for developing
countries by UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food
• Benefits to Developing countries
• Wasteland Reclamation and Reforestation
• Income generation from previously unusable areas
• Provide huge opportunities from new sustainable and renewable land resources
• And crops Creating employment Nursery development, soil preparation, irrigation systems,
Plantation maintenance, seed collection, oil extraction and Refinery control
• Benefit from the increased demand for employment in infrastructure, logistics and
Transportation

Breaking the cycle of poverty

Consider that 54 countries are poorer today than they were 15 years ago. And that
almost half of the world’s people – the vast majority of them working people – live
on less than two dollars per day. We have a responsibility to make renewable
energy available and affordable to all…to ensure that the poorest countries in the
world are not forced to choose between feeding their people and fueling their
economies.
For example, crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa are projected to fall by 20 percent under global warming;
As yields fall and demand rises, Africa will become more dependent on expensive food imports. Already
the poor in sub-Saharan Africa spend 60 to 80 percent of their total income on food – that compares to
approximately 10 percent in the U.S.;
Climate change induced famine may displace more than 250 million people worldwide by 2050
Consider that oil priced at >$90 per barrel has had a disproportionate impact on the poorest countries,
38 of which are net importers and 25 of which import all of their oil;
Developing countries consume roughly twice as much oil per dollar of GDP as the United States
All the while, the high cost and Inaccessibility of fossil fuels, leaves approximately 2
billion people worldwide without reliable energy sources, without refrigeration, basic
communication, heat, or even light.
For developing countries, then, climate change and world’s energy policies are a
source of oppression, a source of sickness and a source of human suffering.
Since the two-thirds of the people in the developing world who derive their incomes
from agriculture and Jatropha based biodiesel has enormous potential to change their situation for the
better and poverty can be broken by Jatropha Cultivation as this dedicated crop has a huge potential for
replication world -wide, improving the livelihood of many more.
At the community level, farmers that produce dedicated energy crops can grow their incomes and grow
their own supply of affordable and reliable energy
At the national level, producing more biofuels will generate new industries, new technologies, new jobs
and new markets. At the same time, producing more biofuels will reduce energy expenditures and allow
developing countries to put more of their resources into health, education and other services for their
neediest citizens

Can Diesel Be "Cultivated"?

India & other developing countries have the potential to be a leading world
producer of diesel, but the rural farmers still need to get comfortable with the idea
that diesel fuel can be "harvested," but they understand one thing very clearly that
they can use Jatropha plants as a source of extra earnings by utilizing the land
that was of no use.
Farmers need to know that there is going to be a good market for what they
produce. We are very keen to build that confidence and promote Jatropha and
other non-food oil crops cultivation by assisting planting, buying the seeds for refining and providing the
refining technology to enable growers to make their own biodiesel."

Jatropha Global Authority

CJP is the global premier agency to provide enhanced knowledge and enhanced technology to more than
80 counties for setting of Jatropha plantation from ground zero. We’ve been privileged to represent the
Centre for Jatropha promotion & Biodiesel (CJP), the first one organization to introduce commercial
farming of Jatropha first time in the history and have formulated the Concept to Commercialization of
viable Jatropha & other OSBT projects., promoting sustainable farming for biodiesel production and By
cultivating these energy-producing plants, processing them and finally producing biodiesel, we are
creating new sources of income for the rural farmers.
We have already planted Jatropha in large area and encouraging results has motivated us for further
expansion of the Jatropha plantation which can generate tremendous job opportunities among the rural
masses It may lead to a revolutionary transformation of the current gloomy economic and energy
scenario with an era of economic bloom and prosperity for all sections of society. Jatropha cultivation
generates an income of RS 25000(US$ 625) / ha and RS.150, 000(US$ 3750)/ha from 5th year onwards
in existing system of farming and if grown in 200 hectares in a village, it can provide adequate
employment to all landless workers all through the year.
We have introduced our Rural Jatropha Energy System, implementation of which may benefits farmers
and their communities and other stakeholders. This energy system based on the local cultivation of
Jatropha & other non food crops is decentralized, durable, relying on local knowledge and sustainable, in
the true sense of the word. We can provide water and electricity services to a rural village at a smaller
cost.
CJP proudly presents its commitment to exploring, developing and establishing the
correct process, procedures and systems for growing, crushing refining and use of
Bio Diesel from seed oil, Jatropha Curcas in particular.
CJP is fully equipped with Technical knowledge and plant science expertise,
process engineering and operational expertise to plan, design and Create Failsafe
Fuel Farms; deploy and commission Non-food vegetable oil refining and design and
construct biodiesel plants
We would like to introduce you to JATROPHA and our other related activities as having specialized in
several fields of Jatropha Production related consultancy and services CJP see great opportunities for
doing business with it... Our wide range of activities include……….
• Complete & updated knowledge and information
• Expertise & Enhanced technology
• Development of Jatropha Projects
• Improved & enhanced Inputs Production & Management
• Execution of the Plantation Project
• Plantation Consultancy & Management
• Construction of oil/biodiesel Plants

Key Strategies To Successful Jatropha Investments

As Jatropha and other non-food oil crops are poised on the cusp of commercialization, Jatropha investors
have stepped up their efforts to develop a viable source of Biodiesel, and some are already well on the
road to success. However, with so many new projects coming up, and a lack of understanding of the
Jatropha Curcas Plant and reliable information; lack of QPM inputs; lack of Best Agricultural Practices
and expertise & poor management techniques ; many projects are only achieving mediocre results.
Therefore, while Jatropha holds a great deal of potential as a biodiesel feedstock, it is also important to
acknowledge many hurdles must be overcome before the crop can become economically viable in most
parts of the world
Jumping of a lot of companies on the bandwagon has enhanced the role and responsibility of the CJP to
provide them, the right steps to start the successful business ensuring that this crop is planted in the
right way and with due cares to what’s possible in terms of sustainable farming techniques.
The key strategies planning, methods and technologies are very essential for Successful Implementation
& execution of a large scale Jatropha Project with Maximum ROI through Improved Agronomy
After having specialized in the field of creation of Failsafe Jatropha Fuel Farm with experiences and
expertise CJP has drawn following the Key Strategies to Successful Jatropha Investments:-
• KEY Strategy 1- Choosing the best location for Jatropha Projects
• KEY Strategy 2- Getting the best business plan formation
• KEY Strategy 3- Getting the best planting stock/material
• KEY Strategy 4 - Adopting Best Practices in Jatropha Agronomy
• KEY STRATEGY 5 - Scaling Operations & Organization Strategies for Jatropha as per local
conditions
• KEY STRATEGY 6 – Exploring the intercropping Operation Strategies for couple oil crops as per
local conditions
• KEY Strategy 7 - Going Socially Responsible, Environmentally & Carbon Positive for Jatropha
Projects
• KEY Strategy 8- Mapping Global Biofuel blending specifications & demand for Jatropha Oil.
• KEY Strategy 9 - Complete Utilization of Jatropha Curcas L, including biowaste & seedcake
• KEY Strategy 10 - Evaluating Risk for a Realistic view of Jatropha Project Potential for long
 term forecastin
For more details regarding KEY STRATEGIES, see the relevant page

Failsafe Fuel Farm

Therefore for Successful Implementation of Jatropha projects with Integration above Key-Strategies you
need an authoritative agency able to provide knowledge, expertise and technology for the predicted
Sustainability while maximizing Project ROI through Improved Agronomy. And CJP is competent
enough to be become your knowledge & Technology provider
To engineer and execute Jatropha energy farm from ground zero to harvesting stage we have developed
a set of Jatropha services with access to our own supply chain intellectual property rights (IPR) and
exclusive expertise with technological background and experiences in the field for creation Failsafe
Jatropha Energy to implement project through our level of competence and technology. Our scope of the
Project task may cover a variety of activities viz: Setting up of Plantations from Ground Zero to
Harvesting Stage just to ensure "FAILSAFE JATROPHA FUEL FARM"

Jatropha oil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please
improve this article if you can. (November 2007)

Jatropha
Jatropha oil is vegetable oil produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas, a plant that can
grow in marginal lands and common lands.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 Use as biodiesel
• 2 Myanmar biodiesel
• 3 Use as jet fuel
• 4 Water Problem
• 5 References
• 6 External links
○ 6.1 News

[edit] Use as biodiesel

Jatropha plantation in the dry center/west of the Paraguay Chaco
When jatropha seeds are crushed, the resulting jatropha oil can be processed to produce a
high-quality biodiesel that can be used in a standard diesel car, while the residue (press cake)
can also be processed and used as biomass feedstock to power electricity plants or used as
fertilizer (it contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium).[1]
The plant may yield more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soybean, and more than
ten times that of maize (corn). A hectare of jatropha has been claimed to produce 1,892 litres
of fuel.[2] However, as it has not yet been domesticated or improved by plant breeders, yields
are variable [3]
Researchers at Daimler Chrysler Research explored the use of jatropha oil for automotive
use, concluding that although jatropha oil as fuel "has not yet reached optimal quality, ... it
already fulfills the EU norm for biodiesel quality". Archer Daniels Midland Company, Bayer
CropScience and Daimler AG have a joint project to develop jatropha as a biofuel[4]. Three
Mercedes cars powered by Jatropha diesel have already put some 30,000 kilometres behind
them. The project is supported by DaimlerChrysler and by the German Association for
Investment and Development (Deutschen Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, DEG).
Goldman Sachs recently cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future
biodiesel production.[5] However, despite its abundance and use as an oil and reclamation
plant, none of the Jatropha species has been properly domesticated and, as a result, its
productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of its large-scale use on soil quality and the
environment is unknown.[3]
[edit] Myanmar biodiesel
Myanmar is also actively pursuing the use of jatropha oil. On 15 December 2005, head of
state, Senior General Than Shwe, said “the States and Divisions concerned are to put 50,000
acres (200 km²) under the physic nut plants [Jatropha] each within three years totalling seven
hundred thousand acres (2,800 km²) during the period”. On the occasion of Myanmar’s
Peasant Day 2006, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Snr Gen Than
Shwe described in his a message that “For energy sector which is an essential role in
transforming industrial agriculture system, the Government is encouraging for cultivation of
physic nut plants nationwide and the technical know how that can refine physic nuts to
biodiesel has also identified.” He would like to urge peasants to cultivate physic nut plants on
a commercial scale with major aims for emergence of industrial agriculture system, for
fulfilling rural electricity supply and energy needs, for supporting rural areas development
and import substitute economy. (2005 from MRTV)
In 2006, the chief research officer at state-run Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise said Myanmar
hoped to completely replace the country's oil imports of 40,000 barrels a day with home-
brewed, jatropha-derived biofuel. Other government officials declared Myanmar would soon
start exporting jatropha oil. Despite the military's efforts, the jatropha campaign apparently
has largely flopped in its goal of making Myanmar self-sufficient in fuel. (2006 from
MyawaddyTV)
• Z.G.S. Bioenergy has started Jatropha Plantation Projects in Northern Shan State, the
company has begun planting Jatropha plants during late June of 2007 and will start
selling the seeds in large quantities by early 2010. The manager of the project site said
that Z.G.S. will sell Jatropha seeds to both local and foreign markets; the company
will also further research on Jatropha plants for higher quality seeds and better yields.
(20 July 2007 from New Light of Myanmar)
A bizarre dimension of the Burmese junta's efforts appears to be related to the Burmese
tradition of yadaya, the form of magic employed to ward off evil spirits, ensure good fortune
and confound enemies.[6]
[edit] Use as jet fuel
Aviation fuels may be more widely substituted with biofuels such as jatropha oil than fuels
for other forms of transportation. There are fewer planes than cars or trucks and far fewer jet
fueling stations to convert than gas stations[7]. On December 30, 2008, Air New Zealand flew
the first successful test flight with a Boeing 747 running one of its four Rolls-Royce engines
on a 50:50 blend of jatropha oil and jet A-1 fuel.[7] Subsequently, Air New Zealand and
Houston based Continental Airlines have run tests in Jan. 2009, further demonstrating the
viability of jatropha oil as a jet fuel. Japan Air also plans test flights in Jan. 2009 as well.
[edit] Water Problem
Jatropha oil is lauded as being sustainable, and that its production would not compete with
food production, but the jatropha plant needs water like every other crop to grow. This fact
could create competition for water between the jathropa and other edible food crops. In fact,
jatropha requires five times as much water per unit of energy as sugarcane and corn.[1][2]
[edit] References
1. ^ Poison plant could help to cure the planet Times Online, 28 July 2007.
2. ^ Michael Fitzgerald (December 27, 2006). "India's Big Plans for Biodiesel". Technology
Review (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/17940/. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
3. ^ a b Fairless D. (2007). "Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe". Nature 449 (7163):
652–655. doi:10.1038/449652a. PMID 17968401.
4. ^ "Archer Daniels Midland Company, Bayer CropScience and Daimler to Cooperate in
Jatropha Biodiesel Project". DaimlerChrysler. http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7153-1-
1035042-1-0-0-0-0-0-8-7145-0-0-0-0-0-0-1.html.
5. ^ Jatropha Plant Gains Steam In Global Race for Biofuels
6. ^ Arkar Moe. Pagoda Power. Irrawaddy magazine, JULY, 2009 - VOLUME 17 NO.4.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16222&page=2. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
7. ^ a b Kanter, James (December 30, 2008). "Air New Zealand Flies on Engine With Jatropha
Biofuel Blend". New York Times. http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/air-new-
zealand-flies-on-engine-with-jatropha-biofuel-blend/?hp.
[edit] External links
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or
guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive and inappropriate
external links or by converting links into references.
• BBC report of Jatropa Biofuel
• "Size does matter - The possibilities of cultivating Jatropha curcas for biofuel
production in developing countries". http://environmental.scum.org/biofuel/jatropha/.
Case study report on the relationship with food security. Contains lots of references
and background information.
• "Mali’s Farmers Discover a Weed’s Potential Power". New York Times. September
9, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/world/africa/09biofuel.html?
_r=1&oref=slogin. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
• Fatty acid composition and properties of Jatropha seed oil and its methyl ester
• Any lessons for Ghana? India jatropha failure
• Is jatropha really the miracle?
• Jatropha: what the public should know
• Jatropha not a miracle biofuel crop after all
• Hailed as a Miracle Biofuel, Jatropha Falls Short of Hype
[edit] News
• Air NZ sees biofuel salvation in jatropha
• Oil, toil and trouble bubbling—India's jatropha tussle
• New "Second-Generation" Biofuel Passes Airliner Test
• Jatropha interest continues to wane
• Jatropha overtakes food crops in oil swindle
• New report casts doubt over biofuels jatropha
• Jatropha displacing Mindanao food crops