Use of fertilizer
Although Jatropha is adapted to low fertility sites and alkaline soils, better yields
seem to be obtained on poor quality soils if fertilizers containing small amounts of calcium, magnesium, and Sulfur are used. Mycorrhizal associations have been observed
with Jatropha and are known to aid the plant’s growth under conditions where
phosphate is limiting It is recommended that 1 kg of farmyard manure/ plus 100 g
of Neem waste for every seedling, with a recommendation of 2500 plants per ha this
comes up to 2.5 t organic fertilizer per ha.Besides it after transplantation and
the establishment of the plant fertilizer such as N, P and K should be applied.
Twenty gram urea + 120 g SSP and 16 g MoP should be applied annually
Crop density
References recommend spacing for hedgerows or soil conservation
is 15cm - 25cm x 15cm-25cm in one or two rows respectively and 2m x 1.5m to 3m x
3mm for plantations. Thus there will be between 4,000 to 6,700 plants per km for
a single hedgerow and double that when two rows are planted
Satisfactory planting widths are 2 x 2 m, 2.5 x 2.5 m, and 3 x 3 m. This is equivalent
to crop densities of 2500, 1600 and 1111 plants/ha, respectively. Distance OF 2MX2M
BE KEPT FOR COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION
Pruning
The plants need to produce side shoots for maximum sprouting and maximum flowers
and seed. Between 90 and 120 Days top of all plants at 25 Cm. Cut the top off cleanly
and cut top to produce 8 – 12 side branches.
It is considered good practice. In order to facilitate the harvesting, it is suggested
to keep the tree less than 2 meters.
CROP YIELD
It appears very difficult to estimate unequivocally the yield of a plant that is
able to grow in very different conditions.
Yield is a function of water, nutrients, heat and the age of the plant and other.
Many different methods of establishment, farming and harvesting are possible. Yield
can be enhanced with right balance of cost, yield, labor and finally cost per Mt
Seed production ranges from about 2 tons per hectare per
year to over 12.5t/ha/year, after five years of growth. Although not clearly specified,
this range in production may be attributable to low and high rainfall areas
Processing and handling
After collection the fruits are transported in open bags
to the processing site. Here they are dried until all the fruits have opened. It
has been reported that direct sun has a negative effect on seed viability and that
seeds should be dried in the shade. When the seeds are dry they are separated from
the fruits and cleaned
Storage and viability
The seeds are orthodox and should be dried to low moisture
content (5-7%) and stored in air-tight containers. At room temperature the seeds
can retain high viability for at least one year. However, because of the high oil
content the seeds cannot be expected to store for as long as most orthodox species
Dormancy and pretreatment
Freshly harvested seeds show dormancy and after-ripening
is necessary before the seeds can germinate. Dry seed will normally germinate readily
without pre-treatment. If this is the case, it is not recommended to remove the
seedcoat before sowing. Although it speeds up germination there is a risk of getting
abnormal seed-lings.