Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of different pre storage treatments and packaging materials on storability of Jatropha seeds. The treatments included &nbsp;halogen mixture @ 3g kg-1, &nbsp;Thiram @ 2g kg-1 and packed in three different containers viz., Aluminium container , Polythene bag and Cloth bag. &nbsp;The seeds were evaluated at monthly intervals upto ten months and observations on germination percent and vigour index were recorded in two varieties viz., Chidambaram local and Sirkali local. The results revealed that Jatropha seeds treated with halogen mixture and stored in aluminium container could be stored upto 7 months without loss in vigour and viability.

Techniques to enhance storage potential of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L) seeds

<div>Background: Non-edible oil as biodiesel helps to meet the energy demand and to reduce environmental degradation. Jatropha curcas is one of the potential oil yielding plant which can be grown under agroforestry systems without affecting food production. Hence the current study aimed to find out compatible intercrop under J. curcas and optimum spacing of J. curcas for intercropping.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A study was carried out in three and a half-year old J. curcas plantation. Different spacings of J. curcas viz., 3m &times; 3m, 4m &times; 2m and 4m &times; 3m and different legumes viz., blackgram, greengram, cowpea, groundnut and oilseed crops viz., gingelly and sunflower were evaluated in split plot design.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Growth and yield of intercrops, available soil N, P and uptake of N, P, K by intercrops were significantly higher at wider spacing of J. curcas (4m &times; 3m). Among the intercrops, groundnut recorded higher uptake of N (67.3 kg ha-1), P (19.9 kg ha-1) and K (65.3 kg ha-1). Groundnut produced a significantly higher yield (885 kg ha-1) followed by cowpea (630 kg ha-1). The study found that planting of J. curcas at 4m &times; 3m spacing and intercropping with groundnut is a compatible and profitable J. curcas based agroforestry system.</div>

<div>Performance of Intercrops under Different Spacings of Jatropha curcas Plantations in Tamil Nadu, India</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Four plant oils at the concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10% viz.; Jatropha, (Jatropha curcas) Ocimum, (Ocimum grattisimum) Kapoor, (Cinnamomum camphora) Lantana, (Lantana camara) were tested for the growth regulatory activities against 8 day old larvae of S. litura and S. obliqua larvae and plant oil composition testing by GC-MS analysis for selected oils. Among four oils J. curcas (10%) showed better results for both the insects while least effective were L. camara (2.5%) and C. camphora (2.5%) for S. litua and S. obliqua larvae respectively. J. curcas (10%) also showed highest terminal larval mortality followed by C. camphora &gt; O. grattisimum &gt; L camara for mentioned insects. The analysis of plant oils revealed the presence of over 43 compounds, contributed to 99.16, 92.78 and 94.97 % of the total tested oils (J. curcas, O. grattisimum and C. camphora) respectively. In tested oils by GC-MS analysis among other compounds in highest quantity terpenoids were found. These plant secondary metabolites can be the responsible factor for effect of plant oils against insect-pest growth and development or as plant based insecticides.</div>

Techniques to enhance storage potential of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L) seeds

Performance of Intercrops under Different Spacings of Jatropha curcas Plantations in Tamil Nadu, India

Detrimental effect and GC-MS analysis of some plant oils against Polyphagous pests Spodoptera litura and Spilarctia obliqua