<x-charset ISO-8859-1>Hello Theo >We are interested in planting jatropha curcas for producing our own >biodiesel and have found quite a bit of information on the net but a lot of >it is conflicting. So we have a lot of questions that we need answering and >would appreciate any help in this regard. We are also looking for a place >to buy seeds, as there doesn’t seem to be place where we can purchase in >South Africa. > >1. How much oil can we conservatively expect per hectare? >2. Do cuttings give a lower yield than seedlings/seeds and does this last >over the life span of the tree? >3. What is the ideal spacing for planting and what are the best conditions >for growing and planting? >4. How long does it take for the plant to yield nuts and for how long will >it produce? >5. How often does the tree bear fruit? >6. Is it necessary to irrigate to get the maximum yield? >7. Must we protect the plant against specific pests and diseases? >8. What can we do with the remains of the nuts after pressing >them for oil? >9. How much biodiesel can we expect to get out of processed oil?
1. Why do you want to plant jatropha? High yield? 2. Why do you want to plant a monocrop? Monocrops aren't sustainable - you'd want to produce sustainable biofuels via unsustainable ag methods? Anyway, do an archive search for "jatropha" (without the quotes), there's a lot of information there: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/BIOFUEL/ Including this: "Jatropha curcas is a good option, but there are many other good options. The idea that it's the best option just doesn't take into account how development projects work, if they work at all, and this type of "best technology" thinking is one reason they often don't work. Almost any locally grown crop would have more going for it, regardless of Jatropha's yield and general usefulness. That's no reason not to use Jatropha, but it has to be fitted in properly, and once again full local involvement is essential for that to happen." Best Keith ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ </x-charset>
