Super Seed That Powers A Car

Could the Jatropha solve the energy crisis?

I believe it can be 1 piece to the puzzle. This amazingly well adapted plant can grow just about anywhere that has poor soil conditions and/or little rainfall. With so much of the planet experiencing droughts and our water usage for normal everyday life skyrocketing, why not plant a crop that is tolerant of low irrigation?

Jatrophas can grow in very sandy, well drained soil or rich soils supplying a higher yield. They have even been found thriving in the crevices of rocks surviving on the humidity in the air. On the other hand they can with stand light frost and even slight salinity.

Why is this plant most amazing? Well, the seeds are packed with a punch. These small fruits, literally explode open once ripe. Personal experience: I once had harvested a handful of the fruit to take home and plant in my garden, I forgot them in my pocket, and POP. Scared me to death. Nothing like having your pocket snap alive while watering a section of garden, lost in meditation.

The seeds of the Jatropha are being used to create Bio-Diesel. Imagine if all the diesel trucks ran on this seed alone. {enter dream state}
 

Another  wonderful  thing about Jatropha, it likes to share it's land. So shade loving crops like tomatoes can be grown in the same space.