Abstract:
Jatropha curcas Linn (Latin name), often referred to as ‘jatropha’, is a perennial tropical tree species, drought resistant, pest tolerant, well adapted to degraded, arid and semi-arid lands. Jatropha curcas Linn (JCL) survives at an annual rainfall of about 300mm. The plant is believed to have originated from Mexico and Central America. It has been traditionally used as “living fences” and for production of soap, medicine, biodiesel and lamp fuels