There are 2 methods of Propagation-

1]Generative-Require seeds.

2]Vegetative-stem cutting and microcutting
These two methods have influenced by various levels of labour oriented,well
establishment of plants,land preparation,depth of sowing,age and seed quality.

Again in generative method of propagation there are two methods.Those are direct sowing on land and transplanting from nursery.In the case og vegetative method of propagation we have two methods.The first one is Branch cutting and the second one is Microcutting propagation i.e in-vitro.

Selection of quality planting material is based on several basics.When we go for planting jatropha the seed material should be adaptable to that particular area. When we are multiplying through seed we should be very careful as jatropha is highly cross pollinated crop and it is hard to get genitically uniform seed material. We should be very careful in case of seed born diseases, diseases in mother plant where we are collecting seed . Finally we should check yield and oil content data before plantation.

There are so many advantages of micropropagation in jatropha for commercial micropropagation we have to go for selection of plus trees initially. Later we have to establish culture and multiplication. Then we go for rooting and transplantation after that we transfer that grown plants in laboratory to green house for acclimatization then they are ready for planted in the open land.

By Propagating the jatropha in micropropagation method we have more benefits. We can produce large number of plants in smaller area and at the same time we can get the material irrespective of seasons another advantage is we can disease resistant plants if we select for material from disease resistant mother plant. Make sure that temperatures and light should be maintained in a laboratory as per the requirement of growing tissue

Many companies and institutes all over the world working intensely on jatropha to identify and set as the best package of practices adaptable by farmers. And also many breeders are working on breeding activities for establishing high yielding varieties.

1) Breeding Programs

A) Establishing gene pool of different varieties in jatropha.

B) Propagating the material in mother nurseries

C) Progenies are tested in field trails

D) Find out superiority (growth and seed yeild) of identified varieties (over others)

E) Release of 2 – 3 superior varieties for growing plantations at farmers level

2) Spacing

Many Research people proposed different spacings. When they adapt closure spacing they observed early flowering and fruiting but majority of scientists recommended 2 mts X 2 mts is spacing is optimum for getting higher yields in jatropha plantation

3) Propagation

There are 3 methods to propagate jatropha

A) Direct Seeding

B) Grow Nursery by keeping seed in poly bags

C) Through Cuttings

Most of the research people observed that plants growing faster from cuttings than plants growing from seeds.

4) Prunning

Most of the research people declared that time and method of pruning are crucial and had importance in growth and yield. Further observations revealed that when pruned at 4′ height and in 5 cm size girth plants.

5) Intercropping

Research People observed that weed suppression is occurring while they go for intercropping. We Can grow crops like pumpkins, red grams, green gram, gherkins etc…

6) Fertilizers

Majority of research people recommended NPK 50:50:25 plus 2 tons of press mud per hectare for getting good growth and heavy branching.

List of Some Research Institutes and Private Companies

1) Central Salt and marine chemicals research institute – India

2) Lao Institute for renewable energy – Korea

3) National Mission on Jatropha biodiesel – India

4) Philippine National Oil Company – Philippines

5) Allegro biodiesel – U.S.A

6) Jatoil Limited – Australia

7) Omnia Group – Zambia

De – ord Fuel – England

9) Masder – UAE

10) Jatropha Agro Pvt Limited – India

11) Beacon Energy Corp. OF Cleburne, Texas – U.S.A

12) D1 Mohan Bio – India

13) China Agro Technology – China

14) SRIPHL – India

As a beginning of this site want to share with you about this wonder plant Jatropha curcas Linn from   seed to oil. Jatropha is native to Mexico and Central America.Its origin was found in Central America over 70 million years ago. It has milky sap that can irritate our skin. Jatropha belongs to Euphorbiaceous family and it’s genus [Jatropha] comprising 170 species. is a small tree or shrub with a lifespan of nearly 50 years.  This plant is monoecious and female flowers generally in large size and occurs in hot season.It comes under cross pollinated category and pollination occurs through insects. The fruits are fleshy until it matures and the shape of the fruit is trilocular ellipsoidal. At the stage of fruits turns to yellow complete harvesting and cleaned seed decorticated before expelling. The oil content varies based on age of plant, but we can expect average around 30% oil from a 4 years plant.

SEEDS: Jatropha can grow on wide range of climatic conditions and on different soils with a minimum rainfall of 300-1000 mm.The reproduction of plant can be done either through seeds in poly bags or sowing of branch cuttings in line with a distance of 25-30 cm and 2 cm depth.

CUTTINGS: Branch cuttings can collect from mother plant with specifications of 2-3 cm thickness and minimum of 40 cm length. Then they are planted in nursery beds with a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm.Longer and thicker cuttings give us good performance.

PLANTING IN MAIN FIELD: Transplanting of 4 months old seedlings is done in 45×45x45 centimeters size pit. Applying of chlorpyriphos dust is useful in protecting termites and also it is better to apply Trichoderma viridae for better protection of seedlings. Direct seed sowing [2-3 seeds]is also recommended while monsoon starts and remove  all plants after 50 days keeping single plant in main field. But direct seed sowing is not advisable for better results. The recommended population per hectare is 1100 with a spacing of 3×3 mts.

PRUNING: The pruning must be done when the tree sheds the leaves and take care to avoid the peeling off the bark. From 2nd year onwards we can prune from a plant with 4-5 cm girth branches.To avoid fungal attack apply COC after pruning.

FERTILIZERS: At the time of transplanting if we can apply 2 – 3 kgs of organic manure per pit gives us better results at the same time in the case of chemical fertilizers if we apply npk ratio of 40:40:20 Kgs along with 2.5 tons of vermicompost per hectare at the beginning of rainy season gives us very good results

IRRIGATION: Flowering, Pod formation and Pod filling stages are crucial for irrigation. Based on requirement weeding should be done. Irrigation must be done once in 15 – 20 days  during summer season

INTERCROPPING: When Jatropha plantation age is below 2 years we can grow intercrops like jowar, red gram, black gram, castor etc. It gives us supplementary income also

Pests and Diseases: There is a chance of attack of Pests like leaf webber, minor, thrips, mealy bugs, mite, black hairy caterpillar etc and diseases like damping off, root rot  leaf spot and powdery mildew.

Generally Fruits will be mature 2 months after anthesis and changes to yellow color which is a stage for harvest the fruit. It gives yield of 1500 – 2000 Kgs after 4 years under rainfed conditions and it gives yield upto 50 years