Cool Weather Jatropha Plant for Biodiesel
Jatropha is one of the promising non-food feedstocks for biodiesel. However, the tropical plant is not well-suited for the cooler climes of some parts of the U.S. But Biomass Magazine reports that an American company is working on a variety of jatropha that could grow in colder areas:
California-based SG Biofuels has identified several strains of cold-tolerant jatropha and has initiated a breeding program to develop them as an oil-producing crop in colder U.S. climates. The company has been working to develop several traits of the plant for the last three years, including increasing oil content, seed size and decreasing input requirements, among others. “Anything that will increase the quality of biomass,” said Kirk Haney, president and CEO. The firm has collected a range of jatropha curcas from various climates and geographies around the globe and has the largest and most diverse collection in its recently launched Genetic Resource Center, Haney said, adding that the center has garnered a lot of attention.
The cold-tolerant strains were collected from various sites in Central America at elevations ranging from 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) to over 1,800 meters (about 6,000 feet). The average daily low temperature there between December and February is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures at night fall below freezing, according to SG Biofuels. Jatropha is typically seen in climates where the average minimum temperature is 60 degrees or more.
With oil yields of 200 to 300 gallons per acre and the ability to grow in poor soils, the non-food biodiesel feedstock could soon be coming to an area a little north of the border.
5 Comments »
Rachael Murin
Dear Sir/Madam
Could you give me tips on which climate is best for the Jatropha
plant?
Thanks n kind regards
jatrophaworld
Centre for Jatropha Promotion & Biodiesel (CJP) is the Global authority for scientific commercialization of Jatropha fuel crop. I wanted to take a moment to let you know that we at CJP are gearing up for the 3rd Global JatrophaWorld Training Programme 2009(JWTP2009)
Centre for Jatropha Promotion & Biodiesel (CJP) is happy to schedule its 3rd Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training Programme (JWTP) in India from July-21-25, 2009. CJP has the privilege to provide most authoritative Knowledge platform known as Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training Programme for Development of Sustainable Non-Food Jatropha Oil Crop Projects, Programmes and Priorities to Feed Biodiesel Industry Worldwide. The 3rd Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training Programme July-21-25, 2009 Jaipur (India) is all set to introduce you the real world of JATROPHA CURCAS……. Seize this opportunity to begin business with Jatropha!
CJP is very proud to announce that 2nd Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training Programme (JWTP) in India at Jaipur, Rajasthan from July-14-18, 2008 was a grand success. The word “Excellent”, which was used by many trainees to describe their experiences, sums up the JatrophaWorld Training Jaipur, 2008 experience.
At this highly informative event, the world’s top Jatropha experts will deliver a relevant and realistic snapshot of today’s Jatropha sector.
As an attendee of the 3rd JWTP you can expect to:
- Hear from and question some of the best scientists/experts in the sector
- Receive the “inside scoop” on the latest Research and Technological developments.
- Discuss practical concerns about your projects with top Jatropha experts
- Meet and connect with the elite in the Jatropha industry quadrupling your ability to make lucrative business contacts
- Just imagine, by simply attending this action-packed 5-day session, you will be handed the tools to re-think, re-align and transform your Jatropha project outlook for commercial success.
- As I mentioned previously, the 3RD Jatropha World Training’ primary objective is to hand you the necessary tools to take your Jatropha project(s) to heights never dreamed possible.
You must admit, attendance would offer you a rare opportunity to get a condensed update on the latest science and research in the Jatropha industry.
Make a smart investment in your Jatropha project by securing your seat immediately at this most informative event.
regards,
A. Maharshi
Daily News—06/23 - Blog - BioDieselNow - Renewable biodiesel fuel
[...] American company researches jatropha for cooler weather [...]
vishnu vardhan
we offer jetropha plant cuttings in bulk for farming–
invite like minded groups for biodiesel project
Anderson mwangudza
Helo! I’m farmer of Jatropha along the Coast of Kenya.
The problem is many of those who have put their farms under the plant have no where to sell it.
As an interested person, I’m looking for the EXTRACTION MACHINERY . Where ever it can be found let you inform me.
Other options would to put a processing plant in Malindi where the plant does very well.
Thank you
Mwangudza
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