The Physiological Aspects of Jatropha Curcus L

Two Jatropha curcas L. genotypes, namely Zimbabwe (exotic) and Varattupallam (indigenous), were taken up for study under field condition for their responses to three foliar sprays of nine growth regulators and nutrients during vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. Zimbabwe performed outstandingly well with robust growth, equipped with favorable levels of biochemical and physiological characters Both gibberellic acid and brassinolide treatment enhanced plant height, number of branches, leaf number and leaf area. The rates of chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance were high under these treatments. By these favourable effects, gibberellic acid and brassinolide treatments produced more number of inflorescences and pods per plant, with better fertility coefficient. These two treatments produced higher pod and seed yields among the foliar spray treatments. Plant height, leaf number and area, chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, nitrate reductase activity, stomatal conductance and transpiration, number of inflorescences, pod yield and number of pods per plant are dominant traits which influence final seed yield in jatropha.

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Dr.C.Raja Babu,is currently working as Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,India. Earlier he was the Assistant Specialist in Plant Physiology, Coffee Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,Government of India.He has rich research experience in Oilseed crops especially in Jatropha and Pea nut.