Response of Jatropha (<I>Jatropha curcas</I> L.) to Varied Spacing Levels

Abstract

The results of pooled data analysis of present study on response of Jatropha curcas to varied spacings under irrigated conditions indicated significant variations among the different spacings in parameters of plant growth, seed yield, oil yield and oil content. The plant density at 3×3m spacing showedhigher plant growth as well as seed and oil yield. Wider spacing of 3×3m recorded higher seed yield (2.76 q/ha) followed by 3×2m spacing (2.40 q/ha) and 2×2m (2.25 q/ha) when compared to 4×2m spacings (1.45 q/ha). But, the highest seed oil content of 32.39% was recorded with 3×2m spacing followed by 2×2m spacing (30.87%) and 4×2m spacing (30.48%). While the lowest seed oil content of 28.87% was recorded under wider spacing of 3×3m. However, the highest oil yield was recorded under 3×3m spacing (79.6kg/ha) followed by 3×2m spacing (76.7kg/ha).