Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Jatropha Plants & Seeds Features, Historical timeline, Significance in biofuel
Jatropha Plants & Seeds Features, Historical timeline, Significance in biofuel
Jatropha is the drought-resistant perennial plant that can grow in marginal or poor soil. It grows relatively quickly and lives produces seeds for 50 years.
Jatropha plant is found to be growing in many parts of the country, especially in rugged terrain and can survive with minimum inputs and easy to propagate.
Jatropha seeds has oil content of 37% which be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame. It has been tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine.
Jatropha seeds oil also acts as insecticide. Moreover, by-products of its seeds like press cake is good organic fertilizer. Jatropha also has medicinal properties and is used for diseases like cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis, dropsy etc.
Significance: Aviation biofuel derived from Jatropha seeds
Jatropha seeds was indigenously developed by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab based in Dehradun along with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP). Its experiment was started in 200 and took nearly eight years to make its use practical.
