Effect of capsule maturity on germination and seedling vigour in Jatropha curcas.

Seeds of Jatropha extracted from fruits (capsule) harvested at three stages of maturity i.e. green [approaching to maturity, 47 days after anthesis (DAA)], yellow (mature, 57 DAA) and brownish black (ripened, 67 DAA) were grown at two temperatures i.e. 25 and 30°C and tested for germination and vigour index immediately and after three months. The germination of the seeds harvested at 57 DAA was 89% at 30°C which was significantly higher when the seeds were harvested at green stage (47 DAA) at 25 and 30°C. The storage period did not affect the germination per cent and vigour index. The seedlings raised from the seeds harvested at green stage of maturity showed significantly inferior root and shoot length. The vigour index also followed the same trend.