CULTIVATING DIESEL-JATROPHA SHRUBS

Jatropha is a valuable multi-purpose crop to alleviate soil degradation, desertification and deforestation, which can be used for bio-energy to replace petro-diesel, for soap production and climatic protection, and hence deserves specific attention .

USES OF JATROPHA:

a)Currently the oil from Jatropha curcas seeds is used for making biodiesel fuel in Philippines.

b)Biodiesel produced from jatropha is one of the most promising solutions for tackling the growing carbon emissions from transport.

c)Jatropha podagrica or buddha belly plant or bottleplant shrub was used to tan leather and produce a red dye in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It is also used as a house plant.

d)Jatropha cuneata limberbush, whose stems are used for basketmaking by the Seri people in Sonora.

e)Jatropha curcas, also known as physic nut, is used to produce the non-edible Jatropha oil, for making candles and soap, and as a feedstock for producing bio-diesel.