Abstract
The Jatropha curcas Evaluation Program (JEP) was executed between 2006 and 2010 by
Wageningen University and Research centre – Plant Research International. It was funded by
Stichting Het Groene Woudt, The Netherlands. The objectives of the program were to 1) minimize
risks involved in the introduction of Jatropha curcas as oil producing crop in developing countries, 2)
focus on productivity in relation to genetic resources, environmental settings and crop management,
3) integrate a wide range of global experience and global collections of Jatropha curcas in the
analyses and 4) share project results and analyses. Cultivated and wild-lines of Jatropha curcas were
collected globally with associated ‘passport data’. The required data include information on
productivity, oil contents, growth conditions, agronomic practices, propagation methods and sensitivity
to pests and diseases. Living gene pools were maintained in their originating countries and field
experiments were analyzed for a better understanding of the risks involved.
One aspect of risk with the introduction of jatropha is the effect of site selection, the selection of the
production system (monoculture, intercropping or hedge) and agronomy practices on the
environmental sustainability. Scarce resources such as soil fertility and water can easily be depleted if
replenishment of nutrients is not secured, especially in the often fragile soil systems where jatropha is
promoted for.
In the case presented during ICJC2010 in Groningen, The Netherlands, it is demonstrated that
jatropha requires an unexpected high amount of nutrients in its establishment phase to produce the
standing biomass of a plantation. Depending on the fate of pruning materials (left in the field or
removed) and on the option to return fruit coats and press-cake after oil extraction to the production
fields or find different outlets for these by-products, additional fertilization is required to retain or
improve the soil fertility status. In the example it will be demonstrated that nutrient recycling during
leaf senescence when jatropha enters the dormancy phase, only partly preserves the required
nutrients for subsequent growth in the next production cycle. Because of relatively low fertilizer
recovery percentages for nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), the required fertilizer rates
to secure sustainable production systems, can be high.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | International Conference on Jatropha Curcas, Groningen, The Netherlands, 1 - 2 November, 2010 |
Editors | H.J. Heeres, B. Janssen |
Place of Publication | Groningen |
Publisher | University of Groningen |
Pages | 36 |
ISBN (Print) | 9789081468022 |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Event | International Conference on Jatropha curcas (ICJC2010) - Groningen, Netherlands Duration: 1 Nov 2010 → 2 Nov 2010 |
Conference/symposium
Conference/symposium | International Conference on Jatropha curcas (ICJC2010) |
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Country/Territory | Netherlands |
City | Groningen |
Period | 1/11/10 → 2/11/10 |