Study on Oil Content and Seed Index in Selected Accessions of Jatropha curcas L

Jatropha is drought tolerant perennial plant and has received extensive attention for use of its seed oil as a commercial source of fuel. This plant is used in traditional medicine. Preparations of all parts of the plant including seeds, leaves and bark, fresh or as a decoction are used in traditional medicine and for veterinary purpose. Also, the bark is being used for making paper. In this experiment Accession no. 131 (44.65%) and 61 (78.70 g) recorded highest oil content and seed index across 41 selected accessions. The plants within accessions of first harvest showed highest (23.44%) mean for oil content while plants of third harvest recorded highest (63.22 g) of seed index across all the harvests. Kernel across four classes of splits recorded highest (52.58%) oil content against seed coat, whole seeds and hull of capsule.