The Jatropha plant has pantropic distribution and survives under arid conditions. The seed yields 30% oil known as hell oil, pinheon oil, oleum infernale or oleum ricini majoris, which contains small amounts of an irritant curcanoleic acid, which is related to ricinoleic acid, the principle active ingredients of castor oil and croton oil respectively.

In an extensive survey to Garhwal Himalaya and arid soil of western Rajasthan, twenty four leguminous nitrogen fixing species were identified including seven herbs, nine shrubs, four climbers and four tree species which were screened for nodulation and nitrogen fixation activity between 400-2100m altitudes.

Only when farming is based upon "natural principles" can it be truly sustainable. Ecological farming is based on nurturing and nourishing the soils. Emphasizing soil conservation and building up organic matter are key to maintain these natural ecological balances in crop ecosystems. Mojo plantation is one such attempt.

In India, zinc (Zn) deficiency was first reported in rice by Nene; it is now wide- spread all over the country. The latest report indicates that 49% of Indian soils are deficient in Zn. But good responses of several field and fruit crops to Zn fertilization have been reported from different parts of the country.
 

Infiltration tests were conducted at three locations in the Pooppara Tribal Colony area, Idukki District, Kerala. Physico-chemical analysis of the soil samples shows that the soil type for the selected locations is sandy clay loam and is acidic in nature with low bio-manure.

Rain is the only source of water on the earth and for conserving this precious resource, the base is the land. Shortage of rainfall coupled with its erratic distribution during rainy season causes severe water deficit conditions resulting in various intensities of droughts. Drought varies in different parts of the world depending on the amount and reliability of rainfall received in a particular region. Gulbarga district is one of the drought prone districts of the Karnataka state.