What is it about?
This book describes the biotechnological achievements until 2013 obtained with Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas). The seeds of this small tropical tree (bush) produces ~35% oil, which can be used for biodiesel. J. curcas is a new coming crop because it may cope with harsh environmental conditions such as semi-aridity and poor land.
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Why is it important?
J. curcas is considered as one alternative for climate mitigation that does not compete with arable land normally dedicated to food crop and can be used to regain degraded land or fight desertification. This bush has been considered seriously by the international community only recently (~2006-2008), but worldwide scientists did an outstanding job to drawn Jatropha out of its semi-wild status and bring it on the industrial scene. Problems remains, but a comprehensive picture of this crop is now available and almost every technological challenges were addressed.
Perspectives
From 2013 on, the job will have to concentrate on breeding in order to domesticate this species. Therefore, it was the right time to sum up worldwide contributions in a comprehensive book with a breeding looking to improve the chance of this plant to stabilize as a crop and to fulfil with the expectations that humans invested in it. A book with this perspective was expected to help international community to give a step on.
Nicolas Carels
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop, January 2013, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4915-7.
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