Ecophysiology of Jatropha curcas to enhance biofuel production

Jatropha curcas is a member of Euphorbiaceae, a multipurpose tree grows well under adverse climate in low to high rain fall areas (200-1500 mm y-1), but best in ~600 mmy-1 as a commercial crop. The epigenetic responses encounter morphological and physiological adjustments for plant performance and seed production. The potential seed yield are prone to vulnerable drought and waterlogging in Jatropha. Impact of epigenetics on Jatropha is presented in the book for precision cultivation to optimise plant performance and bio-fuel production for blending with fossil diesel to mitigate climate change. By 2015, expected to expand its cultivation on 12.8 mha worldwide. Though acclaimed widely for its oil, Jatropha never expressed its potential for oil productivity due to lack of moisture and nutrition. Its flowering frequency and season, male–female flower ratio dependent on soil fertility, soil water content, RH and temperature. In drier agro-climatic zones it exhibits only one major flowering flush while flowers episodically in humid areas. Hence, research inputs must be associated for its large scale cultivation to sustain bio-fuel production and future green energy.