|
|
Jatropha Oil Production
 Jatropha
BioDiesel oil is extracted from Jatropha
oil-seeds and the level of Jatropha Oil
production depends equally on the yield of
oil-seeds and the concentration of oil-seeds per
Jatropha tree.
The yield of oil-seeds from each tree is
strongly reflected by type of seedling stock
used. JatrophaTech uses internally
developed technology to clone and propagating
only the highest quality BioDiesel oil-producing
Jatropha plants. This technique allows the
Jatropha nursery to affect the plant's stature
and yield.
This has been achieved through efforts in
germplasm research, genetic manipulation, and
cloning methods that enable the propagation of
superior genetically identical Jatropha
specimens.
The cloned Jatropha plants provide greater oil
seed yields than virtually every other oil seed
crop currently available, including rapeseed,
soybean, sunflower, mustard, and palm oil.
What made Jatropha especially attractive to
clone was its adaptability to a wide range of
climates and conditions. Jatropha has
successfully been grown in dry and wet
subtropical climates, and very dry to wet
tropical climates, at elevations from sea level
to 1200 m.
Jatropha trees are tolerant to drought, and can
be grown in a variety of soils, from stony clays
to infertile sands. Standard Jatropha trees are
generally propagated by seed, requiring 3-4
months to germinate and up to 3 years of growth
before the trees bear fruit. By cloning
Jatropha we are able to circumvent this process
to create genetically consistent, high yielding
trees capable of bearing fruit after only a few
months instead of several years using this
biotechnology platform.
Due to the fact that it can be grown in poor
soils and in rough terrain, Jatropha does not
need to compete with food crops for land.
Jatropha plantations can be situated on marginal
land that would otherwise serve no practical
use. Transplanted Jatropha trees can be
expected to grow 1-2 m/yr, to a maximum height
of 5-6 m (pruning is necessary). Once
established, the Jatropha trees require very
little attention, and can produce for upwards of
50 years. Thus, although initial input
costs may be significant, only minimal
maintenance costs are required thereafter.
With its numerous inherent advantages, and the
advances achieved through the cloning
technology, Jatropha is well positioned to
become a key component in profitable feedstock
and biodiesel oil production worldwide.
|
