The existing Jatropha curcas in the country exhibit varying degrees of success in terms of seed oil yield and susceptiblity to pest and diseases. Hence, an intensive hybridization programme has been attempted between Jatropha curcas and other Jatropha species to develop new hybrids with higher yield potential and resistance to diseases. Among the interspecific crosses, the cross between J. curcas and J. integerrima produced successful hybrids with more seed set, while the other crosses failed to produce seeds due to existence of crossability barriers. The F1 hybrids exhibited vigorous growth, but the fruit was small in size indicating J. integerrima characters. Hence backcross was attempted and the progenies showed unique characteristics of fruit, seed and oil yield.

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