Jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linn.) is a non-edible oilseed plant with adaptability to marginal semi-arid lands and wastelands. The Indian Government is promoting jatropha to reduce dependence on the crude oil and to achieve energy independence by the year 2012, under the National Biodiesel Mission. Adaptive trials on J. curcas were undertaken at the North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam. The aim of the study was to determine source variation in J. curcas accessions collected from 17 states (34 locations) of India and to identify the best sources to be utilized for reforestation and future genetic improvement work.

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