Burhan Ahad, Zafar A. Reshi, Humeera Rasool, Waseem Shahri, and A. R. Yousuf

Contents

17.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 290

17.2 Jatropha curcas: Occurrence and Morphology……………………………………………………. 291

17.3 Plantation and Ecological Requirements of Jatropha curcas…………………………………… 292

17.3.1 Soil Requirement……………………………………………………………………………….. 292

17.3.2 Climate………………………………………………………………………………………….. 293

17.3.3 Propagation…………………………………………………………………………………….. 293

17.3.4 Irrigation…………………………………………………………………………………………. 293

17.3.5 Fertilization……………………………………………………………………………………… 294

17.3.6 Pruning…………………………………………………………………………………………… 294

17.3.7 Weed Control……………………………………………………………………………………. 294

17.3.8 Harvesting……………………………………………………………………………………….. 295

17.4 Energy Constituents of Jatropha curcas…………………………………………………………… 295

17.4.1 The Fruit…………………………………………………………………………………………. 296

17.4.2 The Shell……………………………………………………………………………………….. 296

17.4.3 Seeds……………………………………………………………………………………………… 296

17.4.4 Seed Oil………………………………………………………………………………………….. 297

17.4.5 Press-Cake……………………………………………………………………………………….. 298

17.4.6 Woody Products……………………………………………………………………………….. 299

17.5 Net Energy Output…………………………………………………………………………………………. 299

17.6 Jatropha curcas and Environmental Concerns……………………………………………………….. 300

17.7 Non-energy Uses of J. curcas………………………………………………………………………….. 301

17.8 Conclusions & Future Endeavor……………………………………………………………………….. 302

References …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 303

B. Ahad (*) • Z. A. Reshi • H. Rasool • W. Shahri

Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India e-mail: burhanahad@gmail. com; burhanahad@rediff. com

A. R. Yousuf

Centre for Research and Development, University of Kashmir,

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

K. R. Hakeem et al. (eds.), Biomass and Bioenergy: Processing and Properties,

DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-07641-6_17, © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014

Abstract Declining reserves of fossil fuels, climate change issues, aim to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions has inspired global interest in Jatropha curcas L. as an alternate energy biosystem. J. curcas, an underutilized, robust energy plant belonging to family Euphorbiaceae has ability to grow in wastelands and semi­arid areas with low nutrient requirements and produces wood, fruit shells, seed husks, seed oil, and press-cake which are potential sources of renewable energy. J. curcas seed contains 35 % oil which is an eco-friendly renewable energy resource and has properties highly suited for making biodiesel which emits less greenhouse gases (GHG) than fossil diesel fuel and if well exploited can help most of the countries in the world to meet their fuel requirements. However, several issues such as energy versus food, energy and environmental impacts need to be addressed.

Keywords Jatropha curcas • Fossil fuel • Global warming • Alternate energy

17.1 Introduction

Global energy reserves and their use have been and still are most debated and researched issues worldwide for a long time. Globally there is rapid multiplication of energy demand as a result of greater than ever increasing population and develop­ment rate. Patently current global trends of energy supply and consumption are economically, socially, and environmentally unsustainable which has stimulated the necessity of finding alternatives. Recognition of the facts that fossil-fuel-based can hardly sustain the same outsize share which once they occupied in global energy consumption and that growing green house gas (GHG) emissions from their use are driving climate change and impacting global warming have focused world attention on the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence and stimulated the necessity to look for alternatives. The depletion of fossil fuels reserves has reached to such an extent that they are unlikely going to fulfill future needs (Dowlatabadi 2006) and also wide spread awareness about harmful impacts their use have on environment can no longer be neglected (IPCC 2007). In order to deal with the world energy crisis, both in developing and developed countries, reduction in energy consumption and search for alternatives to fossil fuels are gaining serious attention (FAO 2008) so that affordable, reliable, low-carbon efficient, and environmentally benevolent energy supply system can be secured. As such switching to such renewable energy has been provoked which can reduce global warming and curb current trends (IEA 2006). There are several renewable alternative energy sources to fossil fuels such as wind, sun, water, nuclear and biomass. The pursuit for alternate energy source, poses momentous question that which choice could alleviate successfully current fossil energy crisis and allied climatic problems importantly global warming mitigation, and improve life quality globally. Numerous solutions which may vary according to regional peculiarities taking into account economic, environmental, and social spheres, seem available nowadays to countenance worldwide energy hunger, with­out compromising the health of the planet.

Biofuels as renewable energy substitutes to fossil fuels have attracted great atten­tion worldwide because of their production ease, environmental benefits and sus­tainable supply advantages (Jingura et al. 2010) . Over 14 % of world’s energy demand is catered by biomass resources (McKendry 2002; Demirba§ and Demirba§ 2003). For many years now, biofuels have been a theme of lot of claims. FAO has classified biofuels into two groups; First-generation and Second-generation biofu­els. Those biofuels which are mainly derived from food crops, including starch and sugar based bioethanol and oilseed are termed as First-generation biofuels (Pramanik 2003; Bozbas 2008); while biofuels derived from non-food crop forestry and agri­cultural products are termed as second-generation biofuels (FAO 2008, Jinguara et al. 2010). On one hand, biofuels from both from first and second generation pro­vide an option to reduce dependence on fossil fuel and combat adverse climate change, but directly or indirectly at the same time can affect food security. The main concerns which looms with fuels coming from food crops is that apart from compe­tition for land, soil nutrients and water, they can goad increase in food price. Also repeated monoculture can lead to biodiversity loss, reduction in soil resources that are of vital importance as well as water use efficiency, which at present is the con­cern in non-industrialized countries, where for introduction and cultivation of bio­energy plantations, demand for large land area is increasing (Demirba§ and Demirba§ 2003; Daey Ouwens et al. 2007; von Braun and Meinzen-Dick 2009).

As far as second-generation biofuels are concerned, their use seems difficult owing to lack of technology knowledge (FAO 2008). Though second-generation biofuels represent a viable option to tone down fossil fuel dependence, reduce global warming, and also might not affect food availability; the selection of the fuel crop, their competition for land, mineral resources and water, and its management in the cultivation and processing steps are the major concerns. Moreover less effi­ciency or usefulness of some bioenergy crops have rendered their use controversial while some others call for more research before being used as an energy feedstock.

Fortunately, some shrubs and spermophytic trees offer an option to be utilized as biofuels. With no competing food uses, this characteristic turns attention to Jatropha curcas, as one of the potential renewable energy source, which thrives in subtropical and tropical climates across the world (Martin and Mayeux 1985; Jones and Miller 1991; Openshaw 2000, Daey Ouwens et al. 2007; Achten et al. 2008). Since without detoxification, Jatropha oil cannot be used for nutritional purposes, its use becomes more attractive as energy source.