Description

Jatropha is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words iatros), meaning "physician," and trophe), meaning "nutrition," hence the common name physic nut. Another common name is nettlespurge. It contains approximately **0 species of succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas). Most of these are native to the Americas, with *6 species found in the Old World. Plants produce separate male and female flowers. As with many members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha contains compounds that are highly toxic.
 
Jatropha Curcas also known as Ratanjot, Van Erand or Moghal Erand. Use of Jatropha seeds for Biodiesel process offers great hope of being developed. It is very profitable crop. It can be cultivate in stony, gradient sandy oil and in the land of tiny deepness. The oil extracted from the seeds of Jatropha is known as Jatropha oil. The oil extracted from the seeds is non-edible and is used in making soaps, cosmetics, colors, candles and wool. The oil cake is used in making plastics and synthetic fibers. Jatropha oil characterstics are rich in medicinal properties and is used in treatment of skin-diseases, paralysis, toothache, stomachache etc. Its mixture with cowurine is used as a Bio-Insecticide.
 
Jatropha curcus is a drought-resistant perennial, growing well in marginal/poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives, producing seeds for *0 years.
Jatropha the wonder plant produces seeds with an oil content of *7%. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame, tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine. The by-products are press cake a good organic fertilizer, oil contains also insecticide.


It is found to be growing in many parts of the country, rugged in nature and can survive with minimum inputs and easy to propagate.