Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Importance of Jatropha for Brazil

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop

Abstract

Fossil derived fuels currently supply most of the world’s energy, even though it represents a finite resource. Aiming at reducing the fossil fuels dependency, alternative sources of energy have been pursued in the last few years. In view of the urgent need to develop new technologies that may enable the widespread use of environment friendly forms of energy, biofuels in general and biodiesel in particular, are receiving considerable attention throughout the world and especially in Brazil. Due to the high quality of its oil that meets the rapeseed quality standard, to the fact that its oil can be easily converted into biodiesel, and its wide adaptability, physic nut (Jatropha curcas) has been considered a potential crop to serve as feedstock for biodiesel production. In that context, this chapter demonstrates the potential of physic nut as a biofuel crop, highlighting however the existing challenges to its wide adoption as a fuel crop. Even facing enormous challenges (detailed below), our cautiously yet optimistic vision is that a dense and directed research program may successfully make physic nut a viable feedstock for biodiesel production. In that respect we detail the Embrapa research initiative drawn to address many of the existing challenges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Achten WMJ, Nielsen LR, Aerts R, Lengkeek AG, Kjær ED, Trabucco A et al (2010) Towards domestication of Jatropha curcas. Biofuels 1:91–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Achten WMJ, Verchot L, Franken YJ, Mathijs E, Singh VP, Aerts R et al (2008) Jatropha bio-diesel production and use. Biomass Bioenergy 32:1063–1084

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BAP (2006) Brazilian agroenergy plan. Embrapa, Brasilia

    Google Scholar 

  • Beltrão NEM (2005) Agronegócio das oleaginosas no Brasil. Informe Agropecuário 26:14–17, Portuguese

    Google Scholar 

  • Berchmans HJ, Hirata S (2008) Biodiesel production from crude Jatropha curcas L. seed oil with a high content of free fatty acids. Bioresour Technol 99:1716–1721

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carels N (2009) Jatropha curcas: a review. Adv Bot Res 50:39–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho CR, Clarindo WR, Praça MM, Araújo FS, Carels N (2008) Genome size, base composition and karyotype of Jatropha curcas L., an important biofuel plant. Plant Sci 174:613–617

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costa AAA, Junior NP, Aranda DAG (2010) The situation of biofuels in Brazil: new generation technologies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 14:3041–3049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devappa RK, Makkar HPS, Becker K (2010a) Biodegradation of Jatropha curcas phorbol esters in soil. J Sci Food Agric 90:2090–2097

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devappa RK, Makkar HPS, Becker K (2010b) Jatropha toxicity. A review. J Toxicol Environ Heal B 13:476–507

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devappa RK, Makkar HPS, Becker K (2011) Jatropha Diterpenes: a review. J Am Oil Chem Soc 88:301–322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dias LAS, Leme LP, Laviola BG, Pallini Filho A, Pereira OL, Carvalho M et al (2007) Cultivo de pinhão manso (Jatropha curcas L.) para produção de óleo combustível. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Portuguese

    Google Scholar 

  • Divakara BN, Upadhyaya HD, Wani SP, Laxmipathi Gowda CL (2010) Biology and genetic improvement of Jatropha curcas L. A review. Appl Energy 87:732–742

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drumond MA, Santos CAF, Oliveira VR, Anjos JB, Evangelista MRV (2009) Desempenho agronômico de genótipos de pinhão manso irrigado no Semiárido pernambucano aos 12 e 24 meses de idade. I Congresso Brasileiro de Pesquisa em Pinhão Manso. F&B Comunicação e eventos, Brasília. Portuguese

    Google Scholar 

  • Drumond MA, Santos CAF, Oliveira VR, Martins JC, Anjos JB, Evangelista MRV (2010) Agronomic performance of different genotypes of physic nut in the semi-arid zone of Pernambuco state. Ciência Rural 40:44–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duraes FOM, Laviola BG, Alves AA (2011) Potential and challenges in making physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) a viable biofuel crop: the Brazilian perspective. Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources 6:043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginwal HS, Rawat PS, Srivastava RL (2004) Seed source variation in growth performance and oil yield of Jatropha curcas Linn. in central India. Silvae Genet 53:186–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomes KA, Almeida T, Gesteira A, Lobo IP, Guimarães ACR, de Miranda AB et al (2010) ESTs from seeds to assist the selective breeding of Jatropha curcas L. for oil and active compounds. Genomics Insights 3:29–56

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goel G, Makkar HPS, Francis G, Becker K (2007) Phorbol esters: structure, biological activity, and toxicity in animals. Intl J Toxicol 26:279–288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grattapaglia D, Kirst M (2008) Eucalyptus applied genomics: from gene sequences to breeding tools. New Phytol 179:911–929

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grattapaglia D, Resende MDV (2011) Genomic selection in forest tree breeding. Tree Genet Genomes 7:241–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gressel J (2008) Transgenics are imperative for biofuel crops. Plant Sci 174:246–263

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heller J (1996) Physic nut—Jatropha curcas L. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. International Institute of Plant Genetic and Crop Plant Research & Plant Genetic Resource Institute, Gatersleben/Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Jha TM, Priyanka M, Datta MM (2007) Somatic embryogenesis in Jatropha curcas L. an important biofuel plant. Plant Biotechnol Rep 1:135–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson TS, Eswaran N, Sujatha M (2011) Molecular approaches to improvement of Jatropha curcas Linn. as a sustainable energy crop. Plant Cell Rep 30:1573–1591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Rovere EL, Pereira AS, Simoes AF (2011) Biofuels and sustainable energy development in Brazil. World Dev 39:1026–1036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laviola BG, Alves AA (2011) Matérias primas potenciais para a produção de biodiesel: situação atual e perspectivas. In: Lana RP, Guimarães C, Lima GS, Veloso CM, Patino HO (eds) Simpósio Brasileiro de Agropecuária Sustentável: O uso de Tecnologias Limpas e Agroenergia. Arka editora, Viçosa. Portuguese

    Google Scholar 

  • Laviola BG, Alves AA, Gurgel FL, Rosado TB, Rocha RB, Albrecht JC (2012a) Estimates of genetic parameters for physic nut traits based in the germplasm two years evaluation. Ciência Rural 42:429–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Laviola BG, Alves AA, Gurgel FL, Rosado TB, Costa RD, Rocha RB (2012b) Estimate of genetic parameters and predicted gains with early selection of physic nut families. Ciência e Agrotecnologia 36:163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Laviola BG, Dias LAD (2008) Nutrient concentration in Jatropha curcas L. leaves and fruits and estimated extraction at harvest. Rev Bras Ciênc Solo 32:1969–1975

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laviola BG, Rosado TB, Bhering LL, Kobayashi AK, Resende MDV (2010) Genetic parameters and variability in physic nut accessions during early developmental stages. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira 45:1117–1123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu P, Wang CM, Li L, Sun F, Liu P, Yue GH (2011) Mapping QTLs for oil traits and eQTLs for oleosin genes in jatropha. BMC Plant Biol 11:132. doi:10.1186/1471-2229-11-132

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mastan SG, Sudheer PDVN, Rahman H, Reddy MP, Chikara J (2012) Development of SCAR marker specific to non-toxic Jatropha curcas L. and designing a novel multiplexing PCR along with nrDNA ITS primers to circumvent the false negative detection. Mol Biotechnol 50:57–61

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Modi MK, Reddy JRC, Rao BVSK, Prasad RBN (2007) Lipase-mediated conversion of vegetable oils into biodiesel using ethyl acetate as acyl acceptor. Bioresour Technol 98:1260–1264

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moura EF, Ventrella MC, Motoike SY (2010) Anatomy, histochemistry and ultrastructure of seed and somatic embryo of Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae). Sci Agric 67:399–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Openshaw K (2000) A review of Jatropha curcas: an oil plant of unfulfilled promise. Biomass Bioenergy 19:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pallet RN, Sale G (2006) The relative contributions of tree improvement and cultural practice toward productivity gains in Eucalyptus pulpwood stands. For Ecol Manage 193:33–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raiger HL, Dua RP, Sharma SK, Phogat BS (2011) Performance and stability of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) for seed yield and its components. Indian J Agric Sci 81:125–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakshit KD, Darukeshwara J, Raj KR, Narasimhamurthy K, Saibaba P, Bhagya S et al (2008) Toxicity studies of detoxified Jatropha meal (Jatropha curcas) in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 46:3621–3625

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramakris TS, Radhakri PN (1963) Jatropha curcas L.—a collateral host for Oidium heveae, stein. Curr Sci 32:428

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao GR, Korwar GR, Shanker AK, Ramakrishna YS (2008) Genetic associations, variability and diversity in seed characters, growth, reproductive phenology and yield in Jatropha curcas L. accessions. Trees Struct Funct 22:697–709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Resende MDV, Resende MFR, Sansaloni CP, Petroli CD, Missiaggia AA, Aguiar AM et al (2012a) Genomic selection for growth and wood quality in Eucalyptus: capturing the missing heritability and accelerating breeding for complex traits in forest trees. New Phytol 194:116–128

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resende MFR, Munoz P, Acosta JJ, Peter GF, Davis JM, Grattapaglia D et al (2012b) Accelerating the domestication of trees using genomic selection: accuracy of prediction models across ages and environments. New Phytol 193:617–624

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rocha RB, Ramalho AR, Laviola BG, Santos AR, Spinelli VM, Holanda ZF (2011) Genetic progress in grain yield of the physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.). Biomass Bioenergy, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosado TB, Laviola BG, Faria DA, Pappas MR, Bhering LL, Quirino B et al (2010) Molecular markers reveal limited genetic diversity in a large germplasm collection of the biofuel crop Jatropha curcas L. in Brazil. Crop Sci 50:2372–2382

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sato S, Hirakawa H, Isobe S, Fukai E, Watanabe A, Kato M et al (2010) Sequence analysis of the genome of an oil-bearing tree. Jatropha curcas L. DNA Res 1–12. doi:10.1093/dnares/dsq030

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva-Junior O, Rosado T, Laviola B, Pappas M, Pappas G, Grattapaglia D (2011) Genome-wide SNP discovery from a pooled sample of accessions of the biofuel plant Jatropha curcas based on whole-transcriptome Illumina resequencing. BMC Proc 5:P57. doi:10.1186/1753-6561-5-S7-P57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinelli VM, Rocha RB, Ramalho AR, Marcolan AL, Vieira Júnior JR, Fernandes CF et al (2010) Primary and secondary yield components of the oil in physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.). Cienc Rural 40:1752–1758

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sujatha M, Makkar HPS, Becker K (2005) Shoot bud proliferation from axillary nodes and leaf sections of non-toxic Jatropha curcas L. Plant growth Regul 47:83–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sunil N, Varaprasad KS, Sivaraj N, Kumar TS, Abraham B, Prasad RBN (2008) Assessing Jatropha curcas L. germplasm in situ—A case study. Biomass Bioenergy 32:198–202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vermerris W (2008) Genetic improvement of bioenergy crops. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan JS, Tiller KH, Al-Ahmad H, Stewart NR, Stewart CN (2008) Plants to power: bioenergy to fuel the future. Trends Plant Sci 13:421–429

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the financial support from the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) to BRJATROPHA as well as the students, research collaborators and breeders for their constant scientific inputs and useful discussions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Embrapa Agroenergia, PqEB, Brasilia, DF, 70770-901, Brazil

    Bruno Galvêas Laviola & Alexandre Alonso Alves

  2. Embrapa Rondônia, BR 364, Km 5,5, Porto Velho, RO, 76815-800, Brazil

    Rodrigo Barros Rocha

  3. Embrapa Semiárido, BR 428, Km 152, Petrolina, PE, 56302-970, Brazil

    Marcos Antônio Drumond

Authors
  1. Bruno Galvêas Laviola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexandre Alonso Alves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rodrigo Barros Rocha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marcos Antônio Drumond
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruno Galvêas Laviola .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. of Functional Genomics and Biology, Fiocruz/IOC, Av.Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Nicolas Carels

  2. Crop Improvement Section, Principal Scientist, Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, 500 030, India

    Mulpuri Sujatha

  3. Department of Botany, University of Warangal, Warangal, India

    Bir Bahadur

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Laviola, B.G., Alves, A.A., Rocha, R.B., Drumond, M.A. (2012). The Importance of Jatropha for Brazil. In: Carels, N., Sujatha, M., Bahadur, B. (eds) Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4806-8_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation