What is it about?

This book describes the industrial and economical achievements until 2018 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

It was the right time to sum up worldwide contributions in a book to give a comprehensive account of breeding perspective, looking to improve the chance of this plant to reach sustainability 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 2019, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-3104-6.
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