Effect of spacing and irrigation in jatropha curcas linn

The Indian Government has identified Jatropha curcas as the most suitable tree-borne oilseed for the production of bio-diesel. The Planning commission, Government of Indian has set up an ambitious target of 11.0 million hectares to be planted with Jatropha by 2012, in order to generate sufficient bio-diesel to blend at 20 percent with petro-diesel. Dr. Panjab Rao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (Dr. PDKV, Akola, MS) is actively involved in development of agronomic practices for Jatropha. In spacing effect trial on Jatripha curcas, the differences in growth parameters were not observed in the initial stages. However, the seed yield per plant was maximum at the spacing of 3m x 3 m followed by 3 m x 2 m spacing. The Irrigation treatment 1–1 i.e. monthly irrigation showed the maximum seed yield as compared to other treatments. The treatment II and 12 were found to be statistically at par with each other, except for collar girth and number on main branches and secondary branches, which were statistically non significant.