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 etc.