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Re: jscot post# 7491

Thursday, 03/13/2008 7:53:54 PM

Thursday, March 13, 2008 7:53:54 PM

Post# of 49742
How about reading this and check that last 3-5 lines.
JATROPHA
QUICK FACTS
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Crotonoideae
Tribe: Jatropheae
Genus: Jatropha

Also known as:
Pinhão manso in Brazil
Tempate in Nicaragua
Physic Nut in the United States
Haat in Mexico
Ratan Jyot in Hindi
Kattamanakku in Tamil
DEFINITION
Jatropha is primarily a tropical genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas L.), from the family Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha is indigenous to Central America, but has been raised in other tropical and subtropical areas such as India, Africa, and North America. Jatropha was initially used as a valuable hedge plant and was exported to Africa and Asia by Portuguese traders. The flowers and stem of Jatropha curcas have well-known medicinal properties, and the leaves are used for dressing wounds. The oil has been used as an organic insecticide as well as an effective treatment for snake bites and other ailments.

The mature Jatropha trees bear male and female inflorescence, and can grow to a height of three to four meters. Each inflorescence bears up to 10 to 15 large fruits and Jatropha generally blooms twice a year under normal conditions. Jatropha is desirable as a source for biofuels given that its seeds produce up to 40% oil, and the species in general is highly resistant to drought and pests. Processed oil from crushed mature seeds can be used in existing standard diesel engines, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to power electricity plants. The seed cake, a by-product of oil production can be used as a natural organic fertilizer rich in organic matter. Research is underway to remove the toxic element prevalent in the seed cake to render it useful as an animal feed.

JATROPHA CULTIVATION
Jatropha is easy to cultivate. It can survive in degraded soils and in areas that are susceptible to long periods of drought. Jatropha is ideal for cultivation on marginal land, leaving prime areas available for food crops.

JATROPHA OIL YIELD
Jatropha seed yields 35-40% oil.

JATROPHA PLANT LIFESPAN
Jatropha takes approximately 12 to 15 months from planting to first harvest, and the plant can thrive successfully for 40 years.