Genetic Improvement, Sustainable Production and Scalable Small Microenterprise of Jatropha as a Biodiesel Feedstock

Abstract

There is widespread interest in Jatropha curcas L. as a renewable source of biodiesel and a potential replacement for petroleum-based transportation fuels. As an oil-bearing feedstock it displays rapid growth and high seed yield across soils of varying fertility. Unfortunately, despite current optimism there exists little information on the agronomic management of this genus as a feedstock for biodiesel. Therefore, this article reviews research on Jatropha as a biofuels feedstock and explores the fast adaptation of Jatropha across India through a "lab-to-market" approach. An integrated approach to understanding the long-term viability of using Jatropha as a bioenergy crop is assessed. A variety of issues are discussed to understand and survey research that has been done on Jatropha and its applications in developing countries where it is being implemented. These issues include understanding the fundamentals of the biology, ecology, propagation, and cultivation of Jatropha, especially focusing on the thrust in developing countries to use wastelands and reclaimed lands for growing Jatropha as a bioenergy crop. This article also provides a status report with regard to germplasm collections and genomic resources for future accelerated crop improvement. A viable argument is made in favor of developing pilot energy farm enterprise clusters, which seems to be the best option for small farms in developing parts of the world. This thematic approach is discussed in detail under a "sun-to-satellite" regional model in which farmers can be engaged as stakeholders and participate in the decision making process. The potential impact of fossil-fuel replacement by Jatropha on climate change is also discussed. Citation: Martin MZ, Gunter LE, Jawdy SS, Wullschleger SD, Wheeler CS, et al. (2013) particularly if small in scale, offers the possibility of reducing poverty by providing income-generating opportunities for farmers [16,17]. If used locally for cooking, heating, or power generation, liquid biofuels may also improve availability of and access to modern energy services in rural areas, where most households rely completely on firewood for their energy needs.This article reviews research that has been performed on Jatropha as a biofuels crop and explores a small farm enterprise model approach for fast adaptation of Jatropha plantations across India through a "lab-tomarket" pilot demonstration. The origin and domestication of J. curcas, its ecological and genetic diversity, genomic resources, and how those resources can be used or expanded to fit the needs of an accelerated domestication of Jatropha will be discussed. Specifically, this includes 1) sources of genetic diversity, 2) development of a genomics toolbox, 3) increasing production through innovative agronomic practices, and 4) developing a pilot "lab-to-market" approach through a biofuels farm cooperative. The purpose of a cooperative model is to share land and resources for equitable benefit and sustained growth for the future. There are benefits for both l...