Jathropha can thrive in lahar areas - study

MANILA, Philippines - Jathropha, a shrub touted as a promising source of alternatiive renewable fuel, can thrive in lahar-laden areas.

This was found in a study done by researchers of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The researchers, led by Prof. Tomas Cajete, looked into the productivity of jatropha plantations in lahar-mantled areas in San Marcelino, Zambales.

During the study's initial year, all the jatropha planted registered a survival rate of 100 percent, noted researchers Faustino Baradas and Danellie Joy Medina.

“Additionally, this survival could be attributed to the fair weather conditions during the one-year period during which only occasional rain showers and storms occurred,” they said.

The study also observed that jatropha seedlings and cuttings did not differ in their requirements for fertilizer and distance of planting.

Seedlings and cuttings planted 3.5 meters by 3.5 meters apart and given 30 kilograms of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) per hectare had the besd performance among the treatments.

These plants were taller, had more developed branches, thicker stems, and higher yields than the control plants.

“The same trends were observed in the second year of planting,” the researchers observed.

On the other hand, lowering the fertilizer to 15 kg NPK/ha resulted in greater infestation by leaf miners. Similarly infested, but by mealy bugs, were the plants spaced farther than 3.5 m x 3.5 m and fertilized with more than 30 kg/ha NPK.

These insect pests were observed to be active from September to January, while diseases such as leaf spots and leaf blights were rampant during these months.