Another step in the development of Jatropha as a biofuel feedstock has been taken with the opening of a Jatropha Genetic Resource Center (GRC) by SC Biofuels. In announcing the opening of the new center earliers today (27th April), the company said it was to further accelerate, large-scale production of Jatropha as a low-cost, sustainable source of feedstock for biofuel.

With research sites in San Diego and several Latin American countries, the company claims to possess the largest, most genetically diverse library of Jatropha genetic material in the world. The GRC, it says, will enable it to drive genetic improvements that will enhance yield, improve agronomic practices and broaden the effective growing range of this promising subtropical crop, which results in no direct or indirect land use changes.

"Our library of genetic material provides an unprecedented opportunity to push this undomesticated crop to its full potential," said Kirk Haney, president and CEO for SG Biofuels. "We already have identified many strains whose characteristics suggest we've only scratched the surface for the production capabilities of Jatropha."

Research efforts include selection and breeding, and the company has generated hybrids among genetically distinct lines to address such issues as yield, cold tolerance and resistance to insect pests. A range of opportunities exist to improve Jatropha's oil yield and develop improved strains, including those that can further enhance production in colder climates of southern and southwestern United States.

The company says that with proper site selection and agronomic practices, oil yields of 200-300 gallons of extractable oil per acre are realistic today. In addition, Jatropha has very-low input costs relative to other biofuel feedstocks, which makes Jatropha profitable with current yields.

"Based on early returns from our genetic research, as well as experience with other similar, undomesticated crops, we are confident we can double the yield of Jatropha within the next few years," said Haney.