27Vol.
8–2010
CHAPTER 3
Jatropha cultivation
This chapter brings together available information on the factors required
forsuccessfulcultivationofjatrophaforoilproduction.
Itdescribesclimate
and soil requirements to guide site selection, followed by...
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27Vol.
8–2010
CHAPTER 3
Jatropha cultivation
This chapter brings together available information on the factors required
forsuccessfulcultivationofjatrophaforoilproduction.
Itdescribesclimate
and soil requirements to guide site selection, followed by information on
best crop establishment and management practices.
There is a lack of data
on oil yield under different conditions, but the section on seed yields
summarizes the information that is available.
CLIMATE
Jatropha grows in tropical and sub tropical regions, with cultivation limits at
30ºN and 35ºS.
It also grows in lower altitudes of 0-500 metres above sea level
(seeFigure 6).
Jatropha is not sensitive todaylength(flowering is independent
of latitude) and may flower at any time of the year (Heller, 1996).
It is a succulent shrub that sheds its leaves during the dry season,
with deep roots that make it well suited to semi-arid conditions.
While
jatropha can survive with as little as 250 to 300 mm of annual rainfall, at
least 60
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