Role of seed and kernel size, thickness and weight on oil content in Jatropha curcus L., - a study with Northeast India accessions

Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (Euphorbiaceae) is commonly known as Physic nut or Purging nut or JCL (Jatropha Curcas Linnaeus) and is a native of Mexico and tropical South America. It is now found almost in all the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world (Holm et al 1979). Jatropha curcus was distributed by Portuguese ships via the Cape Verde Islands and Guinea Bissau to other countries in Africa and Asia (Heller, 1996). It is a shrub or small tree with yellowish rufescent latex. Leaves are deciduous, alternate, apical parts crowded, ovate, acute to acuminate, base cordate, 3 to 5-lobed, 6-40 cm long, 6-35 cm broad, petioles 2-8 cm long. Green flowers in cymes; sepals 5, yellowish, bell-shaped, broadly deltoid; male flowers many with 10 stamens, 5 united at t e base only, 5 united into a column; female flowers borne singly with elliptic 3-celled, triovulate ovary with 3 spreading bifurcate stigmata. Capsules 2.5-4 cm long, split into 3 valves when drying; seeds oblong, black, 2 cm length and 1 cm breadth; the seed nearly elliptical and the oil existing mainly in the white kernel (Little et al 1974).