Vol. 125 (2012): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Krome Memorial Institute (Tropicals)

Performance of Jatropha (Jatropha curcasL.) Accessions under Different Microclimate Conditions in Florida

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  • Wagner A Vendrame,
  • Kimberly Moore,
  • Ann C Wilkie,
  • Jonathan Crane,
  • Wanda Montas
Wagner A Vendrame
University of Florida, IFAS, Tropical Research and Education Center, Environmental Horticulture, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031
Kimberly Moore
University of Florida, IFAS, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Environmental Horticulture, 3205 College Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314
Ann C Wilkie
University of Florida, IFAS, Energy Research and Education Park, Soil and Water Sciences, PO Box 110960, Gainesville, FL 32611
Jonathan Crane
University of Florida, IFAS, Tropical Research and Education Center, Environmental Horticulture, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031
Wanda Montas
University of Florida, IFAS, Tropical Research and Education Center, Environmental Horticulture, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031

Published 2012-12-01

Keywords

  • biodiesel,
  • bioenergy crops,
  • biojet fuel,
  • field trials

Abstract

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) seedlings from an accession from India were established for performance trials in three different locations in Florida: the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead, the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) in Ft. Lauderdale, and the Energy Research and Education Park (EREP) in Gainesville. Soil analyses were performed. Data on morphological and reproductive characteristics were recorded for years 2010 and 2011. Variations in all characteristics were observed for plants at the three distinct locations. Overall, jatropha plants at TREC performed better as compared to plants at FLREC and EREP. The freezing events of 2010 and 2011 affected the growth and yield of jatropha plants. The effects of freezing were more evident for plants located at FLREC and EREP, causing a delay in flowering and consequently in fruit and seed production. High volume irrigation (TREC) proved more effective for cold protection as compared to sand mounding (FLREC and EREP). In general, plants established well and developed normally in all three locations, providing promising perspectives that jatropha can have its cultivation area expanded statewide.

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