Jatropha Curcase in Oahu and Mozambique : Acknowledging scientific differences and resulting questions

Abstract: In the current search for alternatives to fossil energy sources, scientists have expanded their biofuel research pools to include non-traditional crops. Plants that were once only thought of as food crops (for example rapeseed, maize, sugarcane, and sugar beet) are now experimented with and used for biofuel supply. Other plants that did not have any agricultural or commercial use are now integral parts of biofuel research and advancement. One of these plants, Jatropha curcas, has spread through the biofuel communities throughout the world. Jatropha curcas is noted for its high quality oil and ability to grow in poor conditions.  Most of the interest in this tree is concentrated in the tropics, where a year-round growing/harvest season is possible. This study was conducted in order to view and discuss Jatropha curcas in two different settings: two test fields at the Hawaiian Agricultural Research Centers on Oahu, Hawaii, and Sun Biofuels plantation in Chimoio, Mozambique. After visiting Oahu, it was clear that, although some significant steps in pruning techniques had been achieved, many of the questions surrounding jatropha remained unanswered. These questions included, but were not limited to: What is the ideal irrigation level? Is the plant close to domestication? How can optimal yield be achieved? Are there ways to avoid dormancy? Additionally, as a result of the research, many new questions regarding environmental, social, agricultural, and economic aspects of jatropha arose. In Chimoio, it became immediately apparent that the plantation was little more than a huge test plot at its current stage in August, 2009. There was no infrastructure being set-up or built either at Sun Biofuels or in the surrounding cities to accommodate for machine harvesting, crushing, pressing, storage, and transportation, even though the first harvest was scheduled for 2010. Additionally, there were no on-site engineers or scientists to help with the initial phases of growth and harvest. It was evident that jatropha was growing on good quality soil in both Hawaii and Mozambique, and jatropha crops were planted on previous agricultural land. Just because it was shown that jatropha could grow on poor quality land does not mean that it actually grows there in a plantation-like environment. Additionally, because it was been proven that jatropha can grow on good quality soil does not mean it is a competitive substitute for other biofuel crops. It is clear that jatropha has highly irregular qualities (for example, growth, seed content, oil content, oil properties) not just in different parts of the world or even in different plantations, but from genetically identical trees in the same plantation with the same growing conditions. This is an explanation for why jatropha data is so inconsistent across the world. Further scientific and engineering research must be put into jatropha before a company should embark on a large-scale plantation venture.