Preliminary Field Evaluation of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) under South Florida Environmental Conditions

摘要

Seventeen jatropha selections were planted 25 June 2009 at the Tropical Research and Education Center to evaluate their growth, development, and adaptation to a warm subtropical climate and calcareous soil conditions. Plants were grown from seed and 1to 12 plants were planted per accession. Trunk diameter and plant height, and number of seeds and dry weight of seeds produced were periodically recorded. The mean percent change in plant height over the first 8 months ranged from 46% (Brazil-KB) to 86%(India). The mean percent change in trunk diameter was from 6% (Brazil-Plain) to 45% (Guatemala). Fruit were first harvested about SVi months after planting. The mean number of fruits produced per plant varied by accession, with Ethiopia producing the least (0.3 fruits/plant) and Brazil-Plain producing the most (43 fruits/plant). Mean dry weight of harvested seed varied, with Ethiopia producing the least (0.6 g seed/plant) and India the most (94.3 g seed/plant).