2017 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 51-56
Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) has been widely introduced to the Tropics and Subtropics as an energy crop because it can be grown in the dry climate and in various soils without competing with food production due to its toxicity. Foliar application of BA (6-Benzyladenine) may increase the yield through enhancing the number of the fruit. However, too much fruit may also cause fruit drop and shortening of harvest due to exhaustion. This study investigated the effects of BA on the seed yield throughout the harvest season. 120 one year old cuttings were transplanted to the field on April 24, 2013, and 72 plants were treated with BA on September 6 when the first flowers appeared. The flowering percentage, the number of flower sets and fruit bunches were counted from the 9th day before the treatment started to the 148th day after starting the treatment (DAT). The number of fruit was counted on 69 DAT. Harvesting was started from 82 DAT, and the characteristics of the seeds were analyzed. The BA treatment reduced the number of fruit bunches towards the later harvest time by restricting the second and third flower set initiations. However, the number of fruit was greater in the BA treatment mostly due to the increased number of fruits for the first bunch. As a result, seed yield was higher in the BA treatment (44.0g plant -1) than in the control group (38.6g plant -1). As a further improvement of the yield would be expected through increasing the fruit bunches, the method of application should be tested.
