Assessment of benefits and risks of growing Jatropha(Jatropha curcas) as a biofuel crop in sub-Saharan Africa: a contribution to agronomic and socio-economic policies

In sub-Saharan Africa(SSA), the main goals behind the development of a biofuel industry are employment creation and income generation. Jatropha(Jatropha curcas L.) has emerged as a candidate for biodiesel production. It is a non-edible oil producing, drought-resistant plant that can be grown on marginal land with limited water and low soil fertility. However, these are also attributes that typify weedy and invasive plant species. Adding to these concerns are the general questioning of whether biofuel production will reduce Greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions globally. Currently, there is limited information on the potential invasiveness of many biofuel crops, and in particular, the potential risks of cultivating Jatropha. This paper aims to assess the benefits and risks, especially risks,of growing Jatropha for biodiesel production. Jatropha should be screened through a science-based risk-assessment procedure to predict the risk of becoming invasive before it is released for large-scale commercial cultivation.The net GHG savings can be achieved through the cultivation of Jatropha, considering two main factors: no landuse change and crop management without chemical fertilization.     

麻疯树育苗及栽培技术

麻疯树是一种富含油脂树种,具有耐干旱、耐贫瘠、生长快、适应性强等特点,具有很高的经济价值和生态价值,尤其在发展生物能源方面显示了巨大潜能,受到许多国家的高度关注,是目前最有发展潜力的生物柴油原料树种之一。文章结合生产实践主要概述了麻疯树的苗木育苗和栽培技术方面情况,为以后种植麻疯树提供理论参考。     

整地措施及苗木类型对麻疯树生长的影响研究

麻疯树耐旱、耐瘠薄,广泛分布于海拔1 500 m以下的干热河谷地区,不仅是干热河谷地区的水土保持树种,也是开发利用前景较好的能源植物。受立地条件及栽培管理措施的影响,双柏县麻疯树座果率低、单株产量小,产量极不稳定。2006～2011年在双柏县大沙坝进行不同整地措施和苗木类型造林试验,结果表明,科学整地、科学选择苗木及合理密植可促进麻疯树速生、丰产和稳产。     

能源植物麻疯树研究进展

本文主要概述了生物能源树种麻疯树近年国内外在资源分布、毒性和药理活性、生物农药活性、生物柴油、生理生态、培育等方面研究进展,并对其种子丰产技术进行了探讨。     

Current situation and prospects of Jatropha curcas as a multipurpose tree in China

This paper reviews the current status of studies on Jatropha curcas in China. Jatropha curcas has been grown in China for more than 300 years. It is mainly distributed in the southwest from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the hot and dry Three-River Valley with hot monsoon climate and the southeast in the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Taiwan along the coast. The regions where it occurs have annual rainfall >500 mm and average annual temperature greater than 19°C. It occurs on a wide range of soil regimes in these regions. In China the jatropha usually blossoms and bears fruits only once a year, but there are also instances of two or more flowerings per year. In some small but high yielding pilot areas, dry fruit output is reported to be 9,000–12,000 kg per ha, whereas in large plantings the output averages only about 1,800 kg per ha. In order to contribute to sustainable production of jatropha, further studies focused on different ecotypes, improvement of seed quality, plantation techniques, flowering and fruiting characteristics, and harvest and post-harvest handling of seeds are required. More research on biomedicinal potential of various parts of the plant and more information on the actual and potential markets is needed to realize the full potential of jatropha.     

Distribution and development strategy for Jatropha curcas L. in Yunnan Province, Southwest China

Yunnan Province is the main distributing area of Jatropha curcas L. This plant is abundant in several drainage areas of the dry-hot, dry-warm and sub-humid valleys in the south subtropical area of Yunnan Province. The seeds that were picked from trees blossoming between April and May and fructifying between September and October will have large seed yield and fine quality. For developing bio-diesel stock forest of J. curcas in areas with adaptive climate, seeding measures for afforestation should be taken and techniques on breeding, fast-growing, and high-yielding plantation cultivation are very important.     

Shoot allometry of Jatropha curcas

The South African government has banned planting of Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha), potentially a multipurpose tree and biofuel source, owing to insufficient knowledge about the species. Use of allometry as a non-destructive method of monitoring growth and biomass attributes of Jatropha was investigated. The objectives were to examine: reliability of allometry between above-ground variables and basal diameter and crown depth of Jatropha; effects of below-ground interspecies competition and tree spacing on allometry; and validity of these relationships with independent data. The study site was Ukulinga Research Farm, South Africa. Destructive sampling was carried out in March 2008, and tree height and basal diameter were measured periodically during March 2005 to April 2007. Regression analysis and analyses of covariance were used to analyse the data. The height-diameter equation developed by destructive sampling was validated using independent data. Highly significant allometric regressions resulted from using basal diameter (r ≥ 0.89) and crown depth (r ≥ 0.94). Stem diameter had linear relationships with wood and foliage biomass percentages (r = 0.91). Height-diameter equations were equivalent across competition and tree spacing treatments. Predicted and measured tree heights were linearly related (r > 0.97). It could be concluded that above-ground allometry of Jatropha was very reliable and not significantly affected by either below-ground interspecies competition or tree spacing. The site-specific allometric equations are useful for accurate and non-destructive estimations of Jatropha growth under various growing and (non-pruning) tree management conditions. The equations presented here are, however, not universally applicable.     

四川麻疯树适宜栽培区划

通过对四川麻疯树生态适生条件需求的分析,提出了四川麻疯树适宜、次适宜区域,并通过立地条件选择提出了四川麻疯树栽植适生区.     

Floral display and breeding system of Jatropha curcas L.

Plant flowering and breeding characteristics are important for us to understand the reproduction of plant populations. In this paper, we studied the reproduction characteristics of Jatropha curcas in Yuanjiang County (23°36′N, 101°00′E), Yunnan Province. The plant produces flowers in dichasial inflorescences. Normally, the flowers are unisexual, and male and female flowers are produced in the same inflorescence. Only a few male flowers are produced in an inflorescence, and fruits are produced only through pollination between different flowers from the same or different plants. By the treatments of emasculation, bagging and artificial pollination in this experiment, there were few but same fruit set ratios when the inflorescences were emasculated, bagged, or bagged with net, except artificial pollination treatments, which showed that Jatropha curcas could produce fruit through apomixis but not wind pollination. When the inflorescences were unbagged, unemasculated and with free pollination treatments, or bagged, emascu- lated and with artificial cross-pollination treatments, or unbagged, emasculated and with free pollination treatments, there were many fruits produced. It showed that Jatropha curcas shows outcrossing, is self-compatible, and demanding for pollinators. Normally, the male flowers open first and a few flowers bloom in one day in a raceme. These flowers last a long time in bloom. However, a large number of female flowers open from the third to the fifth day, with some female flowers opening first in a few raceme. This shows a tendency to promote xenogamy and minimize geitonogamy.     

云南省麻疯树资源调查分析

通过对云南省麻疯树的资源、自然分布及适宜种植地调查,表明云南省栽培麻疯树历史悠久,种质资源丰富,是麻疯树分布最多的省(区),在几大江河干、支流流域的干热(或干暖)河谷和南亚热带河谷地区分布最多.4～5月开花,9～10月果实成熟的种子产量最大,质量最好.发展麻疯树生物柴油原料林最好育苗造林,在种质资源收集保存的基础上,开展良种选育和丰产栽培配套技术研究,重视技术示范与推广应用,并与植被恢复及生态治理、农业产业结构调整相结合.     

我国麻疯树地理种源及分布区考证

经过详细地调查研究证明,我国滇、川、黔三省的热带和亚热带干热河谷区存在大量麻疯树天然群落和野生种群,并对其进行了植物形态学、生长生物学、群落生态学、种群生态学和分布区学的全面研究和再认识,提供了丰富和确切的观察结果。在上述研究基础上,进一步提出了"雨林型"麻疯树地理种源和"萨王纳型"麻疯树地理种源的新概念,为我国麻疯树产业化种植及分区规划提供了依据。金沙江干热河谷"萨王纳型"麻疯树地理种源的存在和出现展示着该物种在纬度极限和海拔极限条件下的生存能力,充分证明其泛热带分布和广泛分布于热带亚洲、热带非洲和热带大洋洲的事实,为麻疯树植物区系地理学研究提供了佐证。     

麻疯树的研究进展

概述了麻疯树基础研究和应用研究方面取得的大量成果.基础研究方面介绍了麻疯树的建园整地、种质资源、栽培、施肥等方面的研究成果;应用研究方面对麻疯树在能源、医学、生物防治、生态、环保等方面的研究进展进行了综述.提出了今后需深入研究的方向.     

生物柴油植物麻疯树群体构型对资源性环境因素的反应

本文研究了生物柴油植物麻疯树的群体构型与环境的关系,探讨了分支率、分支角度、分支密度和枝长对资源性因素的反应。把乔木林遮盖、土壤厚度和微地形分别作为光照、养分和水分梯度的样地选择标准。结果表明,在林外强光、土层厚度较大与水分含量较高时分支率明显较高,枝长明显较大,分支角度无变化。分支密度是群体构型的一个重要特征,与分支率和枝条密度呈现直线相关。在水分含量较高的样地分支密度显著较高。表明,麻疯树群体构型对资源性环境因素存在明显的反应,具有资源环境依赖性。在生产上,需要从群体构型特征优化上考虑高产和经营问题。     

The genetic diversity of Jatropha Curcas (L.) germplasm in Ghana as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers

Jatropha curcas (L.) has gained popularity as a biodiesel plant to serve as an alternative fuel source and generate income to small landholders. The success of J. curcas as alternative fuel source and income generation depends on the identification of genetically divergent materials of the plant and developing superior planting stocks for farmers. This paper presents genetic diversity assessment of 40 representative accessions drawn from 90 accessions collected from ten regions of Ghana based on their seed yield performance. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on the 40 accessions with ten primers revealed an average polymorphism of 24.99%. Genotype Genotype*Environmental biplot analysis which incorporates divergence effects due to genotype (PC1) and interactions between genotype and field parameters (PC2) was 44.7%. Hence the RAPD information indicates narrow genetic diversity among the accessions used in the study and J. curcas germplasm in Ghana. It is therefore recommended that local germplasm of J. curcas should be officially conserved and immediate efforts be made to widen the genetic base through research and introduction from other regions.     

能源植物膏桐的生产与研究现状

膏桐（Jatropha curcas L.）又称小桐子、麻疯树,作为一种多用途油料植物,具有耐贫瘠、耐干旱、病虫害少、速生、含油率高等优点,目前已被世界各地广泛种植和研究,但还需要进一步研究生产管理技术来确保膏桐产业的长远发展,尤其是不同气候条件下管理和施肥体系。作者力求全面探述国内外生产和研究状况,并指出了膏桐产业发展中需要关注的问题。     

Influence of duration of storage at room temperature,pre-sowing seed treatment and fruit colour harvest index on germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcas</Emphasis> L.

Jatropha curcas L. is being promoted by governments for greening marginal areas for rural development and biodiesel production in sub-Saharan Africa, however large gaps in knowledge on its agronomy and yield potential exist. The effect of duration of storage at room temperature, pre-sowing seed treatment of Jatropha seed and fruit colour harvest index on germination and seedling growth parameters was investigated. There was a significant negative correlation between the duration of storage of Jatropha seed and seed oil content (P < 0.001, r = ?0.99), viability (P < 0.01, r = ?0.93), percent germination (P < 0.05, r = ?0.90) and germination index (P < 0.05, r = ?0.89). The relationship between duration of seed storage and seed oil content and seed germination parameters was best described by quadratic and exponential functions which showed rapid declines in seed oil content and germination parameters in the first 3 years of storage and a slower decline between 3 and 8 years of storage. There was a significant negative correlation between duration of storage and seedling height (P < 0.01, r = ?0.97), stem diameter (P < 0.01, r = ?0.93) and dry weight (P < 0.05, r = 0.91) that was best described by quadratic functions. Seed oil content was significantly and positively correlated to seed viability (P < 0.01, r = 0.96), germination per cent (P < 0.01, r = 0.94) and germination index (P < 0.01, r = 0.93). The relationship between seed oil content and seed germination parameters was best described by exponential functions which showed an exponential increase in seed germination parameters as oil content increased above 30% and smaller increases below 30% oil content. Progressive peroxidation of lipids as seed aged explains the loss of oil from the seed. Peroxidation of lipids produced highly reactive radicals that damaged membranes and proteins reducing seed germination and seedling growth parameters as seed aged. Pre-sowing seed treatments (seed soaking and scarification) produced marginal gains in germination and seedling growth parameters in Jatropha seed stored for 3 months to 8 years. Seeds harvested at the yellow fruit maturity index, 60 days after anthesis (DAA), showed the highest seed germination percent while seed harvested at the black fruit maturity index, 75 DAA, had the highest oil content. Harvesting of Jatropha seed for oil expression is therefore recommended at the black maturity index while harvesting for seed is recommended at the yellow maturity stage. The results of this study indicate that Jatropha seed should be stored for as short a period of time as possible to maximize seed germination, seedling growth and oil yield.     

四川省麻疯树天然林资源的调查与分析

利用近期卫星遥感图片解译结果并结合实地调查,对四川麻疯树天然资源分布情况及生长特点进行了初步调查。结果表明：（1）四川麻疯树天然林资源总面积为34194hm2,主要沿金沙江、安宁河和雅砻江干流及其支流干热河谷呈窄带状水平分布;垂直分布范围为海拔400m—1800m。主要分布范围为海拔800m—1400m,其占四川天然林麻疯树总面积的84．47％。（2）分布方式以零星分布为主,夹杂有团条状分布、成片少,成片分布面积仅占总面积的22．25％。（3）通过对麻疯树天然林资源权属、地类、起源、面积、立地因子、株数、密度、树高、冠幅、生长状况、结实状况、生境状况、病虫害等情况的调查表明,四川麻疯树天然林资源具有雌雄花比例失调、单株产量差异大、病虫害严重、徒长枝多等一系列特点。（4）在宏观上,麻疯树在四川的适生区域为雅砻江流域的中下游及其支流安宁河流域的中下游及金沙江攀枝花、会理、会东段的部分支流的河谷地带。     

Soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emissions from production fields with planted and remnant hedgerows in the Fraser River Delta of British Columbia

Planting hedgerows on farm field edges can help mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural landscapes by sequestering carbon (C) in woody biomass and in soil. Sequestration rates however, must be assessed in terms of their overall global warming potential (GWP) which must also consider GHG emissions. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from two types of hedgerows and adjacent annual agricultural production fields, and 2) better understand how climate, soil properties and plant species configurations affect hedgerow GHG emissions. At eight study sites in the lower Fraser River delta of British Columbia, we measured emissions from soil in both planted (P-Hedgerow) and remnant hedgerows (R-Hedgerow), as well as in adjacent annual crop production fields over 1 year using a closed-static chamber method. CO₂ emissions were 59 % higher in P-Hedgerow than R-Hedgerow, yet there were no significant differences of relative emissions of CH₄ and N₂O. The environmental variables that explained the variation in emissions differed for the three GHGs. CO₂ emissions were significantly correlated with soil temperature. CH₄ and N₂O and emissions were marginally significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil water-filled pore space (WFPS), respectively. Emissions were not significantly correlated with hedgerow plant species diversity. While hedgerows sequester carbon in their woody biomass, we demonstrated that it is critical to measure hedgerow emissions to accurately ascertain their overall GHG mitigation potential. Our results show that there are no CO₂e emission differences between the management options that plant new diverse hedgerows or conserve existing hedgerows.     

Metal Concentration in Plant Tissues of Jatropha curcas L Grown in Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

This study evaluated the heavy metal concentration in plant tissues of Jatropha curcas grown in crude oil contaminated soil in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, in 2010. The soil treatments included 0.0, 2.0 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0% w/w oil contamination. The results showed a significant buildup of heavy metals including iron, zinc, cadmium, copper, manganese, lead, chromium, and nickel in contaminated soils when compared to the uncontaminated subplots (p ≤ .05). The amounts of metals observed in this study are below tolerable limits according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria. A gradual accumulation and biomagnifications of these nonbiodegradable elements in plants can lead to dangerous or lethal levels with inherent health risks for humans and other organisms.     

小桐子及其研究进展

小桐子为大戟科麻疯树属小乔木或大灌木,广泛分布于热带和亚热带地区,在西南地区主要分布于干热河谷地区.小桐子对环境的适应能力强,尤其因为其极强的抗干旱、易成活、种子产量高和可制备生物柴油等方面的特性,使其在干热河谷地区具有极大的开发利用价值.文章概述小桐子的生物学特性、生长环境、资源分布,以及目前的一些研究进展,并展示了小桐子作为能源植物开发的广阔前景.