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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as touted as the new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any kind of soil at a quick rate, is toxic, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Read on for more Jatropha tree details and see how you rate this plant.
What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?
jatropha curcas is a perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly aesthetically appealing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of jatropha curcas tree info is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how adaptable and durable the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for existing biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, but 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 debate, as it requires land that might enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, bigger oil yields.
Jatropha Curcas Cultivation
Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are harmful to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medicinal. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, but it has been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its possible as a clean burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in certain locations has been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a depressing failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping Jatropha.
Jatropha Plant Care and Growth
The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, however it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best growth will be achieved with additional watering periodically. It does not have any major disease or insect issues in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just as a decorative stand-alone specimen.
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Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.
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What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree: Jatropha Uses in The Landscape
Leilani Davies edited this page 5 days ago