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In developing parts of the world, the excessive amount of industrial waste discharge is increasing the toxicity of heavy metals. The agriculture's ability to sustain itself would be threatened by this issue. The presence of trace levels of heavy metals has the potential to harm a plant's ability to perform essential physiological processes like photosynthesis. Therefore, we aimed to assess the physiochemical properties of Jatropha curcas L. under cadmium stress conditions. The J. curcas plants were cultivated at open fields at Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Haldwani. J. curcas strain DARL-2 were exposed to Cadmium (Cd) stress concentrations at 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mg/kg. Both control and treated pots were watered with deionized water at regular interval. All experimental pots were conducted under aseptic condition equipped with cold fluorescent light (350 μmol m-2 s-1) with adjusted photoperiod of 12/12 h (day/night) at 500 mg L-1 CO2 and 70.00 ±2.00% RH. Results revealed that RWC (%), MDR (%), ionic strength (mol/L), total dissolved solutes (mg/L) increased with the increased concentrations of Cd. Whereas, WRA was found to decreased with the increased concentrations of Cd. Chl a and Chl b contents were decreased with increasing concentrations of Cd. Similarly, carotenoid (mg g-1 FW) content was decreased with increasing concentrations of Cd. However, total Chl stability indices increased at Cd concentrations 40 mg/kg (87.58) and 50 mg/kg (93.10) as compared control (86.68). In conclusion, the photosynthetic pigments like Chl a, Chl b and carotenoid contents have been responded sensitively to the tested concentrations of Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of natural ingredients as contraception has long been known to the Indonesian people, especially in rural areas, where people still inherit the habits of their ancestors. The plants used as contraception contain compounds that are antifertility, antiimplantation, and antiestrogenic for both women and men. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the Jatropha curcas L as an antifertility agent with the approach of several previous studies. Methods: The method of this review used Prisma guidelines with scientific article searches using the Pubmed database, Google Scholar, and Science direct. A search was done on Pubmed with keywords Jatropha curcas [MeSH Terms] AND antifertility, Google scholar with keywords Jatropha curcas AND antifertility, Science direct with keywords Jatropha curcas AND antifertility Findings: The results of this review of several research articles that have been reviewed indicated that the effectiveness of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L) has an effect as an antifertility agent. Conclusions: In short, there is a significant effect of using Jatropha curcas L as antifertility in the research finding. The implications of the research can be implemented as the contraception for male. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is a green diesel fuel that is synthesized via the transesterification reaction of plant oils or animal fats with light alcohols, mainly methanol, in the presence of commonly homogeneous alkaline catalysts. One way to make the biodiesel synthesis process more eco-friendly is the use of heterogeneous catalysts as they are reusable. But with these catalysts, the transesterification reaction mixture will be a three-phase mixture containing methanol, oil and catalyst that leads to long reaction times and high process costs. In this study, the ultrasound waves were used to synthesis of the biodiesel from the Jatropha oil in the presence of CaO as a heterogeneous catalyst. The effect of two different co-solvents (acetone & hexane) on improving the homogeneity of the reaction mixture and therefore to enhance the conversion yield of the oil to biodiesel was considered. Experiments were carried out by a probe type ultrasonic instrument at an output power of 200 W and frequency of 20 kHz. The results showed that both of the considered co-solvents had positive effect on developing the conversion yield and the acetone was the more efficient one due to its moderate polarity, which could improve the miscibility of the oil with the methanol. A biodiesel sample with a conversion yield of 90.33% was synthesized under optimal operating conditions including 25% v/v acetone to methanol, 12:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 4% w/w catalyst to oil, 55°C reaction temperature and 60 min reaction time. Hnmr and densitometry were used to determine the percentage of the synthesized biodiesel samples. Also, some of the physicochemical properties of the synthesized biodiesel were analyzed, which were in accordance with the ASTM and EN standards.

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), is a valuable multi-purpose crop, previously used for disease treatment and environmental restoration, recently is attention to use jatropha oil for produce biodiese. In June 2023, the leaf disease of approximately 60% of J. curcas was observed in Mazhang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province (E110°27'26.8'' N22°6'14.7''). Diseased leaves showed typical anthracnose symptoms of chlorotic regions with brownish sunken necrotic lesions (Figure 1). Sections from the junction of disease were surface disinfected in 75% ethanol and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for 1 minute each. Four small pieces of infected tissue were removed from the lesion and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25 to 28℃ in the dark. Hyphal tips from the inoculated tissues were subcultured on PDA and two isolates were purified by single spore method. The colonies on PDA were 7.8 cm diam after 10 d at 25 to 28 ℃, covered with dense, cottony, grayish-white aerial mycelium and small dark-based acervuli with orange ooze and dark brown straight setae. Conidia were hyaline, smooth-walled, aseptate, the apex and base rounded, slightly constricted near centre, 12.9 - 13.8 × 3.9 - 4.6 um (av.13.6 × 4.3 μm, n = 50). Appressoria were variable in shape, mostly simple, subglobose or irregular lobes, 5.8-9.6 × 5.7-11.2 um (Figure 2). Perithecia were not observed. These characteristics were consistent with Colletotrichum sp. (Weir, B. S., et al. 2012). Sequences of isolates ACCC 35630 and ACCC 35631 stored in Agricultural Culture Collection of China including internal transcribed spacer (ITS), actin (ACT), beta-tubulin (tub2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and chitin synthase (chs). were amplified (Weir et al, 2012), sequenced and submitted to GenBank (ITS: PP474979 and PP474984; ACT: PP505487 and PP505488; TUB: PP505493 and PP505494; GAPDH: PP505491 and PP505492; CHS: PP505489 and PP505490). The amplicon sizes of ITS, ACT, TUB, GAPDH, and CHS were 550, 652, 500, 264, and 301 bp, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Isolates 35630 & 35631 were clustered closely association with RHCOL1 and RHCOL3. Phylogenetic analysis with MEGA 7 using the combined ITS-ACT-CHS-GAPDH-TUB2 sequences showed that the two isolates clustered with C. queenslandicum (Figure 3). To test the pathogenicity, ten healthy leaves on plants in the field were wiped with 75% alcohol and sterile water, punctured with a sterile needle and inoculated by adding 10 uL of spore suspension (1 × 105 conidia/ml) to the wounded sites. And two other leaves were added sterile water as controls. Symptoms of anthracnose were observed on leaves similar to the disease described above after 7 days of inoculation, whereas the leaves from the controls remained asymptomatic. C. queenslandicum was reisolated from the inoculated leaves. C. queenslandicum has been reported as a pathogen causing leaf and fruit anthracnose on papaya, coffee, rambutan, avocado and Persian lime etc. in tropical and temperate regions (Kunta, M., et al. 2018), and this is the first report on J. curcas in China as well as worldwide. This disease may have a significant negative impact on J. curcas cultivation.

The main purpose of this present work is to produce and improve Jatropha curcas L biodiesel using mixed natural zeolite and furfural to meet the demand of green and clean production. Trans-esterification of Jatropha oil using natural microporous zeolite (96.6% Thomsonite and 3.4% Analacime) has been carried out. The optimum molar ratio (oil: methanol: zeolite) to yield 85.65 wt.% of Jatropha biodiesel was found to be (1:3:0.2) respectively. XRD technique was used to identify the natural zeolite. Physicochemical characteristics of biodiesel were determined according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard methods and were found to be within ASTM permissible limits required for the operation of diesel engines except ash content. The element composition of synthesized biodiesel was investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma. The synthesized biodiesel has been treated by different ratio of furfural. The best wt. % of furfural was found to be 66.6% (1:3, biodiesel: furfural). Treatment of Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel with furfural increased FAME and decreased alcohols, carbonyl, cyclic, and other compounds. Besides, furfural improved the physico-chemical characteristic of Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel within ASTM permissible limits. Cetane number has increased from 59.8 to 63.5 after treatment by 66.6% of furfural. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite carbon-lignin/ZnO nanocrystalline has been successfully synthesized mediated by using natural material from castor leaf (Jatropha curcas L). The prepared composites were characterized by using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystallite size decreased with increasing the pH due to the atomic crystal in the lattice more stable and also increases with increasing the calcination temperature as the effect of solidification to form carbon-lignin/ZnO. The bandgap strongly depends on the pH, for pH 7 the bandgap around 3 eV. The hexagonal in micro size from the SEM image indicated that the carbon-lignin with ZnO nanoparticles attached at the surface. The degradation performance was increase with increasing the calcination temperature and pH 4 shows the lowest degradation ability. The best parameter of composite carbon-lignin/ZnO nanocrystalline ball-like hexagonal structure to reach 96.272% degradation performance are pH 7, 600 °C calcination temperature, and 90 min irradiation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nativa is the property of Revista Nativa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Jatropha curcas L. is monoecious with a low female-to-male ratio, which is one of the factors restricting its seed yield. Because the phytohormone cytokinins play an essential role in flower development, particularly pistil development, in this study, we elevated the cytokinin levels in J. curcas flowers through transgenic expression of a cytokinin biosynthetic gene (AtIPT4) from Arabidopsis under the control of a J. curcas orthologue of TOMATO MADS BOX GENE 6 (JcTM6) promoter that is predominantly active in flowers. As expected, the levels of six cytokinin species in the inflorescences were elevated, and flower development was modified without any alterations in vegetative growth. In the transgenic J. curcas plants, the flower number per inflorescence was significantly increased, and most flowers were pistil-predominantly bisexual, i.e., the flowers had a huge pistil surrounded with small stamens. Unfortunately, both the male and the bisexual flowers of transgenic J. curcas were infertile, which might have resulted from the continuously high expression of the transgene during flower development. However, the number and position of floral organs in the transgenic flowers were well defined, which suggested that the determinacy of the floral meristem was not affected. These results suggest that fine-tuning the endogenous cytokinins can increase the flower number and the female-to-male ratio in J. curcas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas L.) adalah tanaman cepat tumbuh dan sangat toleran terhadap iklim tropis dan jenis tanah, sehingga sesuai untuk dikembangkan sebagai tanaman konservasi. Selain itu, minyak dari bijinya dapat digunakan sebagai bahan energi. Bahkan bagian lain dari tanaman ini dapat dimanfaatkan untuk berbagai tujuan khusus. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui cara pembuatan biodisel dari minyak biji jarak pagar. Biodisel adalah bahan bakar minyak (BBM) dari minyak nabati untuk otornotif (mobil) dan disel generator. Pembuatan biodisel dilakukan dengan proses 2 tahap, tahap pertama adalah proses esterifikasi yaitu untuk mengubah asam lemak bebas menjadi rnetil ester. Tahap kedua adalah proses transesterifikasi yaitu untuk mengubah trigliserida menjadi metil ester. Proses 2 tahap ini dapat menurunkan kadar asam lemak bebas dari minyak jarak pagar dengan proses esterifikasi yang mana asam lemak bebas tersebut dapat menghambat konversi trigliserida menjadi metil ester pada proses transesterifikasi. Proses esterifikasi menggunakan metanol sebanyak 20% (v/v) secara konstan untuk setiap perlakuan, sebagai katalis digunakan H,SO4 2%. Proses transesterifikasi menggunakan metanol dalam jumlah yang bervariasi yaitu : 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60% (v/v) dan katalis yang digunakan adalah KOH 0,3%. Kedua tahap reaksi tersebut dilakukan pada suhu 60C dan lama reaksi 90 menit. Sifat fisika kimia minyak jarak pagar yang diuji adalah bilangan asam, bilangan penyabunan, bilangan ester, kerapatan dan kekentalan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa proses 2 tahap yang dinamakan proses "estrans", dibandingkan dengan proses satu tahap, mampu mengkonversi trigliserida menjadi metil ester dalam jumlah yang lebih banyak. Hal tersebut ditunjukkan oleh rendahnya bilangan asam dan kekentalan, yaitu pada konsumsi metanol optimum sebesar 40% (v/v). Angka konsumsi metanol sebesar 40% (v/v) tergolong tinggi, oleh karena itu diperlukan penelitian lebih lanjut yang lebih fokus pada upaya untuk menurunkan konsumsi metanol pada pembuatan biodisel dengan menggunakan proses "estrans".

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kondisi proses yang optimum pada pembuatan arang aktif dari kayu jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas L.) dan mengetahui konsentrasi optimum dari penggunaan arang aktif jarak untuk pemucatan minyak jarak. Faktor perubah yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini yaitu konsentrasi H3PO4 (5, 10 dan 15%) dan suhu (650, 750 dan 850˚C). Parameter yang diamati adalah rendemen, kadar air, abu, zat terbang, karbon terikat, daya serap iod dan benzena. Untuk pemucatan minyak jarak parameternya adalah rendemn, kejernihan, bilangan asam dan bilangan peroksida. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi H3PO4 meningkatkan daya serap iod dan benzena secara nyata, tetapi pengaruh suhu hanya nyata terhadap peningkatan daya serap iod. Sifat fisiko-kimia yang optimum dari arang aktif dihasilkan dengan menggunakan suhu aktifasi 750°C dan konsentrasi H3PO4 15%. Kondisi optimum ini memberikan rendemen arang aktif 52,5%, kadar air 4%, zat terbang 11,8%, abu 19,29%, karbon terikat 68,91%, daya serap iod 1039,2 mg/g dan benzena 13,5%. Kecuali daya serap benzena, semua sifat arang aktif lainnya memenuhi SNI 06-3730-1995. Karbon aktif yang dibuat dengan kondisi optimum berhasil dengan baik digunakan sebagai absorden untuk pemucatan minyak jarak pagar kasar karena berhasil meningkatkan kejernihan minyak tersebut hingga 92-105% dan mengurangi bilangan asam hingga 27-32 %.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the general and specific combining ability of the parents, and to verify the existence of maternal effect and inbreeding depression in Jatropha. The experiment was carried out from 2010 to 2015, in the municipality of Planaltina, Distrito Federal. The following traits were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, canopy projection between the row, canopy projection on the row, number of branches, mass of one hundred grains, and grain yield. Cytoplasmic effects and effects of female parent nuclear genes were observed for all traits. Dominance effects were predominant in the genetic control of all traits. Genotypes 107 and 190 were the superior parents for the reduction of the size, and for the increase of grain yield. No inbreeding depression was observed for grain yield. The most promising crosses for the conduction of segregating populations and increment in grain yield were 190x107, 107x190 and 259x107.

The role of TGF-β1 is known as the main immunosuppresor associated with tumor, but on the other opinion, it is associated with proliferation and tumor invasion. The increase and decrease of the secretion of TGF-β is to regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and death of various cell types. Now we all know the extract of Jatropha curcas L seed serves as antitumor. Allegedly, it can regulate the expression of TGF-β1 in control of cell number. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Jatropha seeds to the regulation of gene expression of TGF-β1 as a tumor marker. The method is performed by giving a dose groups the extract of jatropha seed (0, 5, 25, 50, 250 mg/BB) in mice. Then measurement of mRNA expression (RT-PCR), the protein of TGF-β1 levels (ELISA), and qualitative observations of liver histology were done. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA is significantly 4.39 to 7.34 times higher than (ANOVA, p 0.05) than the control. Histological observation of liver showed the extract of jatropha seed induces damage nucleus of hepatocytes cell and sinusoidal. The effects extract of jatropha seed increased the level of TGF-β1 mRNA but not followed by increasing protein of TGF-β1 levels, and it was stimulated necrosis and apoptosis of hepatocytes cell.

Background and Aims Jatropha curcas (jatropha) is an oil crop cultivated in (sub)tropical regions around the world, and holds great promise as a renewable energy source. However, efforts to fully commercialize jatropha are currently hampered by the lack of genetic diversity in the extant breeding germplasm, and by the toxicity of its seeds meaning that its seed cake cannot be used as a protein source in animal feed, among other constraints. In Mexico, the species' native range, there are jatropha plants whose seeds are used to prepare traditional meals. This non-toxic jatropha 'type' is considered to harbour low genetic variation due to a presumed domestication bottleneck and therefore to be of limited breeding value; yet, very little is known regarding its origin and genetic diversity. Methods Using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), we extensively genotyped both indigenous toxic and non-toxic jatropha collected along roads and home gardens throughout southern Mexico. Key Results Single nucleotide polymorphism diversity in non-toxic jatropha is relatively high, particularly in northern Veracruz state, the probable origin of this germplasm. Genetic differences between toxic and non-toxic indigenous genotypes are overall quite small. A a genome-wide association study supported a genomic region (on LG 8, scaffold NW_012130064), probably involved in the suppression of seed toxicity. Conclusions Conservation actions are urgently needed to preserve this non-toxic indigenous, relatively wild germplasm, having potential as a fuel feedstock, animal feed and food source among other uses. More generally, this work demonstrates the value of conservation genomic research on the indigenous gene pool of economically important plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the performances in the early stages of biogas production of various unconventional and low inputs crops, such as: kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), amaranthus (Amarathus cruentus L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Moreover, according to a circular economy approach, that foreseen the re-use of all the materials, a wide range of agro-industrial residues were tested such as: pomace, olive oil cake, cow milk whey, ewe milk whey, beer residues, jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) oil cake and pelargonium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) residues after essential oil extraction. The biogas production was estimated starting from the chemical composition of the substrates as well as through tests in bench's static reactors. The results showed that the use of silage from crops with reduced agronomic requests (kenaf and amaranthus) versus a conventional crop (corn) led to comparable, or even better, biogas production performances during the initial stages. Moreover, the performance of some residues from the milk industry allowed to conclude that the ewe milk whey can be considered a booster feedstock for the first phase of digestion. All the tested substrates produced a digestate suitable, according to the Italian rules, for soil fertilization or amendment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Guangxi Normal University - Natural Science Edition is the property of Gai Kan Bian Wei Hui and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes arranjos de plantio próprios para o consórcio com a atividade agrícola e pecuária, bem como tipos de consórcio na produção de plantas de pinhão manso em duas safras. O experimento foi realizado no município de Coronel Pacheco, Minas Gerais, em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo a parcela representada por 5 espaçamentos: 6x3m (555 pl ha-1); 12x(2x2)m (714 pl ha-1); 10x(2x2)m (833 pl ha-1); 8x(2x2)m (1.000 pl ha-1); 6x1,5m (1.111 pl ha-1) e a subparcela representada por dois tipos de consórcio (integração lavoura-pecuária-pinhão manso - iLPF, e integração pecuária pinhão manso - SSP). As avalições contemplaram as safras 2010/2011 e 2011/2012. Os resultados demonstraram que o maior espaçamento de plantio (6x3m) apresentou efeito positivo na produção por planta, superando os demais tratamentos. Não foram observados efeitos significativos no número de sementes por fruto, bem como no peso da semente. A produção por hectare, foi maior no espaçamento 6x1,5m (maior densidade populacional), entretanto não seguiu uma tendência linear. O sistema iLPF apresentou efeito significativo na produção, superando o sistema SSP

A deficiência de fósforo (P) é um dos principais responsáveis pela baixa produção agrícola, na maioria dos solos brasileiros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adubação fosfatada sobre o desenvolvimento vegetativo e a produção do pinhão-manso. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda experimental da EPAMIG, em Latossolo Vermelho- Amarelo de textura argilosa, no município de Montes Claros, MG, Brasil. As mudas de pinhão-manso foram plantadas no espaçamento de 4 m x 2 m, sob irrigação. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com cinco doses de P2O5 (0 - 100 - 200 - 400 e 800 kg ha-1 ano-1), e quatro repetições. O superfosfato triplo foi utilizado como fonte de P2O5. Foram avaliados o número, o comprimento e o diâmetro de ramos, a altura de planta e o diâmetro do caule a 30 cm do solo e a produção em cada tratamento. A aplicação de fósforo não influenciou a altura das plantas, entretanto, aumentou o desenvolvimento dos ramos e do caule e elevou a produção do pinhão-manso. A máxima eficiência física da produção do pinhão-manso (798 kg ha-1 ano-1) foi obtida com aplicação de 414 kg ha-1 ano-1 de P2O5.

En los últimos años los biocombustibles han sido estudiados como una alternativa frente al uso de combustibles fósiles. Dentro de las recientes fuentes de producción de biodiésel se destaca la Jatropha curcas L. (J. curcas) cuyo aceite no es comestible, tiene buenos rendimientos, presentando con esto mayores ventajas que las materias primas tradicionales. En el presente trabajo se desarrolló un diseño conceptual y simulación del proceso de producción de biodiésel a partir del aceite de J. curcas, mediante la simulación de sus etapas en el software HYSYS®. Para este estudio, se trabajó con 11000kg/h de aceite como materia prima, se tuvo en cuenta una etapa de esterificación debido a los altos contenidos de ácidos grasos libres (FFA) presentes en este aceite y se emplearon diversos modelos termodinámicos, lo cual permitió obtener un biocombustible con una composición mayor al 98% (masa) en metilésteres. En cuanto a las propiedades fisicoquímicas del aceite y biodiésel obtenido por la simulación y correlaciones para la estimación de propiedades, se apreció concordancia con los datos experimentales reportados por diferentes autores, así como por normas ASTM D6751 y el Estándar Europeo EN-12214 que regulan sus características. Estos resultados permitieron identificar a la J. curcas como una alternativa viable para la producción de biocombustibles, y su posible implementación a escala industrial en el departamento de Bolívar, al no poner en riesgo la seguridad alimenticia y propiciar la producción de biocombustibles en Colombia a partir de fuentes vegetales no comestibles

Among the many species that can be used to obtain vegetable oil for energy, Jatropha is considered one of the best options. Therefore, it is necessary to have seeds with good physiological and health quality in order to have a good establishment of plants in the field. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of heat treatment to the control of seed-borne pathogens in stored Jatropha seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial 5x4 (five periods of storage x four treatment temperatures). The seeds of Jatropha were collected in Dourados - MS, and were subjected to processing and sun drying, and then stored in a dry chamber in glass flaskswith a screw cap and a capacity of 500 mL, for periods of 0, 90, 180, 270, and 360 days. After each storage period, seeds were subjected to thermotherapy by immersion in hot water at temperatures of 45°C, 50°C, and 55°C for 15 minutes; the control treatment was immersed in water at room temperature (25±2°C) for 15 minutes. The parameters evaluated were: moisture content, germinations, germination speed index, electrical conductivity and health. Heat treatment at temperatures of 45°C, 50°C and 55°C don’t affect germination and the cell membrane integrity of the seed. After 180 days the use of thermotherapy contributed to the conservation of seed vigor. The fungus Penicillium sp. and Acremonium sp. are eliminated by thermotherapy at temperatures of 45°C, 50°C and 55°C, and Aspergillus sp. is controlled at a temperature of 55°C in periods of storage of 180 and 270 days.

Resumen. El agotamiento de las reservas petrolíferas y la creciente demanda energética mundial, ponen en evidencia la necesidad de ampliar la oferta de aceites para la producción de biodiesel. El objetivo principal de este estudio, fue determinar las zonas aptas con diferentes aptitudes agroecológicas, para establecer el cultivo de Jatropha curcas en el estado de Tabasco. Para ello se definieron cuatro tipos de aptitud: óptima, adecuada, marginal por déficit térmico e hídrico, y marginal por exceso térmico e hídrico. Para el recurso suelo se consideró la fertilidad, profundidad, textura y pH, y se utilizó la clase de aptitud óptima. La delimitación de estas zonas se generó mediante la implementación de un sistema de información geográfica (SIG), el cual facilitó la manipulación y sobreposición de capas de información temática de clima y suelo. El análisis promedio anual de temperatura demostró que todo el estado de Tabasco presenta aptitud óptima y con el de precipitación se obtuvo una superficie de 2 229 631 ha con aptitud óptima. En lo referente al recurso suelo se detectaron 37 subunidades de suelo con aptitud óptima, sumando una superficie de 945 462 ha. Al realizar el álgebra de mapas entre las aptitudes óptimas climáticas (temperatura, precipitación y periodo de crecimiento) y edafológicas, se obtuvieron 833 181 ha con aptitud agroecológica óptima, por lo que en el estado de Tabasco es factible cultivar esta oleaginosa para producir biocombustibles.

The aim of this research is to identify and quantify the categories which have the largest environmental impact in the biodiesel production process from Jatropha curcas L oil. The Jatropha curcas L is selected due to its availability in Cuba, so 400 L/d was defined as a functional unit. The valorization analysis was conducted taking into account the conventional Jatropha curcas L oil production. The analysis is conducted based on several factors such as the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and agriculture wastes. The activities of agriculture and industrial stages are shown. The Life Cycle Assessment is addressed according to the ISO 14040 series, by using the Ecoinvent database 2003 and the Eco-indicator 99 methodology. Based on the obtained results, the environmental performance of the production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L oil has a good environmental behavior. The agriculture stage shows the greatest impact due to land use and fossil fuel depletion. In addition, electricity has the highest impact due to respiratory effects from the emission of tiny material particles into the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatropha curcas L. seeds an oilseed plant with great potential for biodiesel production. However, low seed yield, which was limited by its lower female flowers, was a major drawback for its utilization. Our previous study found that the flower number and female-to-male ratio were increased by gibberellin treatment. Here, we compared the transcriptomic profiles of inflorescence meristem at different time points after gibberellic acid A3 (GA3) treatment. The present study showed that 951 differentially expressed genes were obtained in response to gibberellin treatment, compared with control samples. The 6-h time point was an important phase in the response to exogenous gibberellin. Furthermore, the plant endogenous gibberellin, auxin, ethylene, abscisic acid, and brassinolide-signaling transduction pathways were repressed, whereas the genes associated with cytokinin and jasmonic acid signaling were upregulated for 24-h time point following GA3 treatment. In addition, the floral meristem determinacy genes (JcLFY, JcSOC1) and floral organ identity genes (JcAP3, JcPI, JcSEP1-3) were significantly upregulated, but their negative regulator (JcSVP) was downregulated after GA3 treatment. Moreover, the effects of phytohormone, which was induced by exogenous plant growth regulator, mainly acted on the female floral differentiation process. To the best of our knowledge, this data is the first comprehensive analysis of the underlying transcriptional response mechanism of floral differentiation following GA3 treatment in J. curcas, which helps in engineering high-yielding varieties of Jatropha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work the physicochemical properties of oil and biodiesel are determined, from the seed of Jatropha curcas L. originating in the province of Manabí, Republic of Ecuador. The transesterification reaction was carried out with a molar ratio methanol-oil 6: 1 and 1 % by weight of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), as a catalyst. The determination of the properties of the oil and biodiesel obtained included ASTM standards. The physical-chemical evaluation performed of Jatropha curcas L. oil, including kinematic viscosity at 40 °C, (30,85 mm²/s), density at 15 °C, (938 kg/m³), acid number, (2,73 mg KOH/g), inflammation temperature (160 °C) and iodine number, (99 g I2/100 g) concludes that the oil of each region has its own special characteristics. An oil with good physicochemical characteristics will have the potential to be a source of biodiesel. Jatropha curcas L. oil from the province of Manabí, Ecuador, has these characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two cysteine proteinases were cloned from Jatropha curcas seeds. The full length cDNAs obtained from cloning of Jc-CysEP1 and Jc-CysEP2 genes were 1.516bp and 1500 pb, respectively. The Jc-CysEP1 contained a 1083bp open reading frame (ORF) coding for 360 amino acids. The JcCysEP1 protein sequence had an estimated native molecular weight of 36.89 kDa, with a predicted isoelectric point of 4.55. The average lengths of JcCysEP1 5′ UTR and 3′ UTR were 269 bp and 167bp, respectively. The Jc-CysEP2 contained a 1077 pb open reading frame (ORF) that encoded 358 amino acids. We also identified UTRs with lengths of 229 pb (5′UTR) and 194 pb (3′UTR). The Jc-CysEP2 sequence had a native molecular weight of 39.94 kDa, with a predicted isoelectric point of 6.19. Real-time PCR analyses of developing seeds (stages I-VII) showed that most cysteine proteinase genes were expressed at stage IV (middle stage) revealing peculiar spatio-temporal differences. JcCysEP2 was the cysteine proteinase gene with the highest expression in inner integument tissue, while JcCysEP1 was expressed in lower levels. Our results suggest that JcCysEP2 could be the major cysteine proteinase gene involved in PCD events in inner integument tissue, playing a critical role in PCD events during seed development, while Jc-CyEP1 and JcCysEP2 genes act cooperatively in stages IV-VII. JcCysEP2 is important to complete their participation in PCD until development of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objetivo. Evaluar la viabilidad económica y financiera de los sistemas silvopastoriles tradicionales para la producción de Biocombustibles como aporte a la sostenibilidad del proyecto “Piñón para Galápagos”. Materiales y Métodos. Se llevaron a cabo encuestas a 450 pequeños productores ganaderos de 10 cantones de la provincia de Manabí con la finalidad de colectar información agronómica, manejo, costos implicados en establecimiento y producción de los sistemas silvopastoriles vigentes de Piñón (Jatropha curcas L.)/Saboya (Megathyrsus maximus). Para recopilar datos de producción del Piñón establecido en cercas vivas de Piñón INIAP CP041 e igualmente se registró la producción de sistemas en 10 sitios, desde el año 2009. Con estos datos se calcularon los siguientes indicadores financieros radio beneficio/costo (B/C), valor actual neto (VAN), tasa interna de retorno (TIR) y valor de expectativa de la tierra (VET). Resultados. El estudio mostró una disminución de la producción del Piñón con el transcurso del tiempo. El sistema silvopastoril mejorado con Piñón INIAP CP041 mostró B/C 1.07, VAN de USD$ 404.11, VET USD$ 970.23 y TIR de 18%. Seguido del sistema silvopastoril con Piñón local con un B/C 1.06, VAN de USD$ 363.66, VET USD$ 873.10 y TIR de 17% y finalmente sistema silvopastoril sin cosecha del Piñón con un B/C 1.05, VAN de USD$ 285.72, VET USD$ 685.99 y TIR de 15%. Conclusiones. La alternativa de producción de biocombustibles con sistemas silvopastoriles Piñón (INIAP CP041)/Saboya en Manabí es el sistema de mayor rentabilidad y no competiría por superficies de cultivo para la producción de alimentos, sin afectar a la seguridad alimentaria.

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O uso de água salina na irrigação torna-se importante alternativa diante daescassez de água de boa qualidade em todo o mundo. O pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L.) possui baixa exigência hídrica, sobrevive e apresenta produção satisfatória em solos de baixa fertilidade. No entanto, a sua produção é maior em cultivos irrigados, o que reforça a necessidade de desenvolvimento de pesquisas para uso de água salina. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação nas características morfofisiológicas de mudas de pinhão-manso. Para isso, foi conduzido experimento em casa de vegetação com interceptação de 50 % da radiação solar, localizada na Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Ipameri, Goiás. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos com capacidade de 4 L de solo, utilizando-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. As plantas foram irrigadas diariamente com 150 mL de água não salina, durante os 30 primeiros dias após a germinação das sementes. Do 31º ao 50º dia, as plantas foram submetidas a quatro tratamentos: plantas diariamente irrigadas com água de condutividade elétrica igual a 0,5; 8; 16 e 24 dS m-1. Aos 50 dias após a germinação, analisaram-se as seguintes características nas mudas de pinhão-manso: número de folhas; altura de planta; diâmetro de ramo; teor relativo de água; área foliar; clorofila total; razões de massa radicular, massa caulinar, massa foliar e parte aérea/sistema radicular; e biomassa total. Os resultados evidenciaram que as mudas de pinhão-manso irrigadas com água de condutividade elétrica 8 dS m-1 não apresentaram redução do crescimento vegetativo. Todavia, a água de irrigação com condutividade elétrica 16 dS m-1 causou redução no crescimento vegetativo e elevou a senescência e abscisão foliar. Água com condutividade elétrica elétrica de pinhão-manso na fase de mudas.

Identifikasi senyawa metabolit sekunder fraksi aktif daun jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas L.) dan uji aktivitas larvasida terhadapl nyamuk Aedes aegypti telah dilakukan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kemampuan ekstrak daun jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas L.) sebagai larvasida nyamuk Aedes aegypti serta mengisolasi dan mengidentifikasi jenis senyawa larvasida yang terkandung dalam ekstrak daun jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas L.). Ekstraksi dilakukan dengan metode maserasi menggunakan pelarut etanol. Ekstrak kental etanol dipartisi berturut-turut dengan n-heksana dan etil asetat. Dari hasil uji aktifitas larvasida terhadap fraksi n-heksana, etil asetat dan air diperoleh bahwa fraksi etil asetat memiliki aktifitas paling tinggi dengan nilai LC50 0,11%. Fraksi etil asetat kemudian difraksinasi menggunakan kromatografi cair vakum sebanyak dua kali hingga diperoleh isolat aktif (fraksi EG3). Isolat fraksi aktif diduga mengandung asam fenolat yang menyerap sinar UV-Vis pada λmax 227 nm dan 251 nm. Hasil analisis ini diperkuat dengan analisis spektrum inframerah yang menunjukkan adanya gugus fungsi O-H ulur, C-H aromatik ulur dan C=C aromatik yang menandakan adanya senyawa fenol. Adanya gugus fungsi C=O, C-O dari asam karboksilat dan benzen tersubstitusi menandakan adanya asam karboksilat, di mana gugus fungsi yang dimiliki isolat identik dengan gugus fungsi asam fenolat secara umum.

The biology of Trissolcus latisulcus Crawford was studied on eggs of Chrysocoris javanus Westw (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) which is a serious pest of Jatropha curcas L.. The aim of this study was to investigate the biology of Trissolcus latisulcus as a basic knowledge for developing a more suitable biological control programme in controlling the pest C. javanus. The current laboratory study was designed to evaluate developmental duration from egg to adult of C. javanus under room condition temperature: 28.18 + 0.59°C and RH 56.33 + 4.27%. The results showed that the life cycle of immature T.latisulcus consisted of egg, larva ( three instars), prepupa, pupa. The longevity period of each stadium was one day, four days, one day, and five days respectively. The deve-lopment time from egg to adult took 12.66 + 1.22 days for female and 11.91 ± 0.73 days for males.The life time from egg to dead adult was 17.40 + 7.38 days for female and 23.70 ± 9.49 days for males. The egg of T.latisulcus was stalked type, the first instar larva was teleaform type and the third instar larva was hymenop-teriform type.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la variabilidad morfológica y productiva de procedencias de Jatropha curcas. Para ello se midió o estimó: la altura; el grosor de las ramas primarias y del tallo; la altura de la primera rama; las enfermedades; el número de ramas primarias, secundarias y terciarias; el número y el peso de los frutos; el rendimiento de semillas; el peso de 100 semillas; las dimensiones de la semilla y el contenido de aceite. Para interpretar los resultados se utilizó ACP y análisis de conglomerados. La altura fue el indicador más variable, seguido por el grosor de las ramas primarias, el número de ramas secundarias y primarias, y el grosor del tallo, los cuales explicaron el 57,7% de la variabilidad. Sobre la base de estos indicadores se formaron seis grupos. Los valores extremos superiores, en todos los indicadores morfológicos, se encontraron en el grupo I (SSCS-3), y los inferiores en el grupo IV (SSCS-7 y SSCS-6). Solo seis de las diez procedencias sembradas produjeron frutos; mientras que las plantadas lo hicieron en todos los casos. De las sembradas sobresalieron: San Miguel, D-1 y SSCS-3, con rendimientos estimados de 2 325; 243 y 169 kg de semilla/ha; y de las plantadas: Cabo Verde, SSCE-10 y SSCE-7 con 814; 327 y 93,2 kg de semilla/ha, respectivamente. En la SSCE-10 y en la Cabo Verde el porcentaje de aceite alcanzó un 32,8 y 35,0%, respectivamente. Los resultados permitieron identificar las procedencias sobresalientes, tanto en los indicadores morfológicos (SSCS-3) como en los productivos (Cabo Verde, SSCE-10 y San Miguel).The objective of this work was to characterize the morphological and productive variability of Jatropha curcas provenances. For that purpose the following indicators were measured or estimated: height; diameter of primary branches and stem; height of the first branch; diseases; number of primary, secondary and tertiary branches; fruit number and weight; seed yield; weight of 100 seeds; seed size and oil content. In order to interpret the results PCA and cluster analysis were used. Height was the most variable indicator, followed by diameter of primary branches, number of secondary and primary branches and stem diameter, which accounted for 57,7% of the variability. Based on these indicators six groups were formed. The highest values, in all morphological indicators, were found in group I (SSCS-3), and the lowest ones in group IV (SSCS-7 and SSCS-6). Only six from the ten seeded provenances produced fruits; while the planted ones did it in all cases. Among the seeded ones the following stood out: San Miguel, D-1 and SSCS-3, with estimated yields of 2 325; 243 and 169 kg of seed/ha; and in the planted ones: Cabo Verde, SSCE-10 and SSCE-7 with 814; 327 and 93,2 kg of seed/ha, respectively. In SSCE-10 and Cabo Verde the oil percentage reached 32,8 and 35,0%, respectively. The results allowed identifying the outstanding provenances, in the morphological (SSCS-3) as well as the productive indicators (Cabo Verde, SSCE-10 and San Miguel).

Notifica-se a ocorrência de Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli, 1772) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) em Igaci (Alagoas), atacando a cultura de pinhão-manso, Jatropha curcas L. O inseto, até então não constatado na região, assume relevância econômica pela natureza dos danos, ocasionando infestação em 100% das plantas.The occurrence of Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Igaci (in the state of Alagoas, Brazil), is observed attacking the physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) The insect, until then not verified in the region, takes economic relevancy considering the nature of damage, causing infestation in 100% plants.

Pesquisas referentes à extração de metais pesados por planta de pinhão-manso ainda são incipientes. Com a perspectiva dessa planta ser utilizada na recuperação de solos contaminados, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar os efeitos do cobre e zinco no crescimento do pinhão-manso e o acúmulo e distribuição desses metais na planta. Dois experimentos foram realizados em delineamentos inteiramente casualizados: no primeiro, os tratamentos consistiram em cinco doses de cobre (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100 mg dm-3) e, no segundo, quatro doses de zinco (0; 50; 100 e 150 mg dm-3), com três repetições. Aos 50; 70; 90 e 110 dias após o semeio, foram avaliados: altura da planta, diâmetro caulinar e área foliar. No final do experimento as plantas foram colhidas e avaliados os teores de cobre e zinco nos tecidos vegetais. Amostras de solo de cada vaso foram coletadas e submetidas às analises químicas. As plantas de pinhão-manso, durante o período experimental, são tolerantes aos tratamentos utilizados, no entanto, doses de cobre e zinco no solo acima de 75 e 50 mg dm-3, respectivamente, depreciam o crescimento das mesmas. Os acúmulos de cobre e zinco nas plantas obedeceram às seguintes ordens, respectivamente: folha > raiz > caule; caule > folha > raiz. A translocação do zinco foi maior que a do cobre nas plantas.Researches concerning the extraction of heavy metals by Jatropha curcas L. plants are still preliminary and incomplete. With the prospect of this plant to be used in phytoremediation of polluted soils, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of copper and zinc in the initial development of Jatropha curcas L. and accumulation and distribution of these elements in this plant. Two experiments were carried out in design completely randomized with three replications; the first one with five copper (0; 25; 50; 75; 100 mg dm-3) and the second with four zinc (0; 50; 100; 150 mg dm-3) treatments. At 50; 70; 90 and 110 DAS, were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter and leaf area. At the end of the experiment the plants were harvested and assessed the levels of copper and zinc in plant tissues. Soil samples were collected from each pot and subjected to chemical analysis. The Jatropha curcas L plants, during the experimental period are tolerant to the treatments, however, copper and zinc levels in soil above 75 and 50 mg dm-3, respectively, affect their growth. The copper and zinc concentrations in the plants were ranked in the following order, respectively: leaf > roots > stem; stem > leaf > root. Zinc translocation was higher than copper in the plants.