Water driven yield optimization of the bio-fuel tree Jatropha curcas L.

Jatropha curcas L. is a multifunctional biodiesel tree that is promotedin the tropical- and subtropical belt, although knowledge about good agricultural practices, yield and water use are currently lacking. This lack of knowledge can result in unsustainable use of valuable natural resources and non profitable investments. Therefore this project aims at developing a water driven model capable of simulating the growth and the yield of the plant in different environments with several management strategies. 
To build the model the plant performance will be tested in several field experiments in India and Mozambique. The tested treatments will combine different levels of water stress in certain developmental stages with three levels of fertilization. Besides the growth and theyield we will monitor the weather, the soil water content, the sapflow,the stomatal conductance etc. for two consecutive years. 
The model will be validated with a separate field dataset, a deficit irrigation trial and data from model farmers from 15 locations in the tropical- and subtropical belt. The results can lead to the development of a tool to derive advice on investments and management.

Keywords:Water stress, Sapflow, Yield response to water, Soil-water balance, Crop modelling, Water productivity, Jatropha curcas L.

Disciplines:Physical geography and environmental geoscience, Communications technology, Geomatic engineering, Landscape architecture, Art studies and sciences, Forestry sciences, Ecology, Environmental science and management, Other environmental sciences

Project type:PhD project