Breeding system and pollination in Jatropha curcas: An overview

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is a monoecious pantropical shrub or treelet and grows everywhere in tropical and sub-tropical areas without any human care. It is entomophilous with sticky pollen that does not disperse by wind, but only by insects carrying it from male to female flowers. Honeybees can be employed for pollination purpose; they are efficient and manageable pollinators. Fruit and seed sets are dependent from soil nutrient content, but also from fruiting rate since genetically inferior fruits may abort before maturity. Wide crossings between different landraces of native or exotic collections are to be performed to develop genetically superior cultivars in order to produce quality seeds with enhanced oil content. Alternative strategies to boost female flower induction and warrant uniform fruit yield, such as cytokinin application, molecular manipulation of the genes involved in flower development and homeotic regulation are also contemplated.