Photosynthetica, 2010 (vol. 48), issue 2

Photosynthetica 2010, 48(2):208-218 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-010-0026-3

Effect of fertilizer application on photosynthesis and oil yield of Jatropha curcas L.

J. W. H. Yong1,*, Y. F. Ng2, S. N. Tan1, A. Y. L. Chew3
1 Natural Sciences and Science Education Academic Group, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
2 Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Innovation Centre, Singapore, Singapore
3 School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

The use of Jatropha curcas oil as a source of biofuel has been well-explored. However, the physiological and growth studies of J. curcas have received considerably lesser attention. In this study, leaf gas exchange measurements and leaf nitrogen content were determined for four varieties of J. curcas, grown in the field or in pots. Based on stable carbon isotope analysis (δ13C) and gas-exchange studies, J. curcas is a C3 sun plant and the range of leaf photosynthetic rates (or CO2 assimilation rates, P Nmax) were typically between 7 and 25 μmol(CO2) m-2 s-1 and light saturation generally occurred beyond 800 μmol(quanta) m-2 s-1. Higher rates of leaf photosynthesis were generally obtained with the mature leaves. In addition, increased foliar P Nmax were recorded in potted J. curcas variety Indiana with increasing nitrogen (N) nutrition levels. These plants also showed greater growth, increased leaf N content, higher maximum CO2 assimilation capacity (P NhighCO2) and chlorophyll (Chl) content, indicating the potential of optimizing the growth of Jatropha by varying fertilizer nutrient levels. A rapid assessment for leaf N using a nondestructive and portable Chl meter had been established for J. curcas. This approach will allow repeated sampling of the same plant over time and thus enable the monitoring of the appropriate levels of soil fertility to achieve good Jatropha plantation productivity. High N nutrition improved the overall plant oil yield by increasing the total number of fruits/seeds produced per plant, while not affecting the intrinsic seed oil content.

Keywords: biofuel; chlorophyll meter; Jatropha curcas L.; leaf nitrogen content; oil; photosynthetic rates; stable isotope

Received: January 22, 2010; Accepted: April 24, 2010; Published: June 1, 2010Show citation

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Yong, J.W.H., Ng, Y.F., Tan, S.N., & Chew, A.Y.L. (2010). Effect of fertilizer application on photosynthesis and oil yield of Jatropha curcas L. Photosynthetica, 48(2), 208-218. doi: 10.1007/s11099-010-0026-3.
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