Studies on the Growth, Flowering, Fruiting  and Seed output of Jatropha curcas L. in  Krishna and Khammam Districts

D. Harika; A. V. V. S. Swamy; V. Subhashini; Ch. Rani

Volume : II, Issue : VI, June - 2013

Studies on the Growth, Flowering, Fruiting and Seed output of Jatropha curcas L. in Krishna and Khammam Districts

D. Harika, A. V. V. S. Swamy, V. Subhashini, Ch. Rani

Abstract :

In recent years thrust on increase of production of biofuels has been increasing. Out of the total of 63 species which were identified for promising biodiesel production, Jatropha curcas had been the choice of researchers as well as producers of bio diesel. However, inconsistencies in the growth and seed output were the main constraints faced by the producers of biodiesel. The plantations already existing and plantations raised for the present study under different environmental conditions have been studied in Krishna and Khammam districts and a comparison has been made in growth, flowering, fruiting and seed output. Water supply through drip irrigation and addition of NPK, Super phosphate and Gypsum have resulted in the seed output of 3-4 Kg/plant at the experimental site whereas 2 Kg/plant was reported at the other plantation where no nutrients were added. No flowering and no seed output were reported by Pallepadu and Panditapuram plantations, where there was no specific mode of watering and no nutrients were added. The results revealed that the type of soil did not show any influence on the establishment of plant and the physical growth as well as the seed output increased with inputs of the soil nutrients and adopting suitable watering schedules. The crowding effect due to minimal spacing was overcome with nutrients and water schedule at the experimental site. The details are discussed in the full paper.