In-Depth Analysis on the Germinability , Soil Mineral Composition and Seed Oil Content of Barbados Nut ( Jatropha Curcas L . )

A study was carried out to determine the seed viability and influence of growth in Barbados nut, (Jatropha curcas) on soil nutrient. In the germinability, quality seeds were obtained considering the vigor of seeds as analyzed under different textural classes of soil samples. The highest sample found within 0-2, 15 and 30cm was sandy with a Mean percentage (%) 50.67 (SE ±0.30), organic matter, moisture content; pH, density and cat ion exchange capacity (CEC) were all analyzed. The mean composition of mineral nutrients in a triplicate soil samples collected was recorded highest in Mg (0.076%), N (0.050%) and Ca (0.034%) respectively. Each fruit pod contains 2-4 seeds black spindle shaped and measured about 1-2cm. 1000 seeds yielded 577.4g and a total of 300 seeds (85.7%) sank when immersed in water and were considered viable, while 50 seeds (14.3%) were considered non viable. each with a mean weight of 0.5774g. The investigations on the volume of oil extracted revealed that 2.50kg liters of oil could be generated from 2.31kg of seeds and lipid has the highest (41.6 to 46.3%) mean percentage in the proximate analysis of the seed cake extracted. Meanwhile, seeds were highly viable with 98.33% mean germination with fertilizing effect when grown on soil. It is recommended that a means of enlightening the local farmers and plant scientists should be identified and effectively used to encourage for commercial production of seed oils and planting the tree as life fence around farms in order to reduce the effect of grazing animals and land dispute with cattle rearers.

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