A systems approach to identify desired crop traits for breeding of Jatropha curcas

1. A systems approach to identify desired crop traits for breeding of Jatropha curcas Dr. R.E.E. (Raymond) Jongschaap Rome, April 10-11 2008 IFAD International Consultation on Pro-poor Jatropha Development

2. Introduction Wageningen UR Global Jatropha curcas Evaluation Program System approach Example: Yield estimation Breeding Pro-poor desired crop traits Conclusions Outline

3. Introduction • Wageningen University and Research centre • Wageningen UniversityPlant Breeding department • PhD research Jatropha curcas breeding (genetic diversity) • Plant Research International BVBusiness unit Agro-systems research and Plant Breeding • Global Jatropha curcas Evaluation Programme (G-JEP)

4. Jatropha curcas Evaluation Programme (2006-2010) Young Leaf material (DNA isolation) 100 seeds (oil analyses) ‘Passport’ data Material Acquisition Agreement Genetically identical groups of Jatropha in different environments Or Genetically different groups of Jatropha in comparable environments Drought tolerant Reclaims marginal soils High (oil) yields No competition with food crops Tolerant to pests and diseases Oil content Seed size Fruits per tree Seeds per fruit Tolerance to pests / diseases Toxicity • Investigate claims • Collect and characterize • Genetic resources • Passport data • Genotype x Environment • Identify and Map traits for future breeding • Ranking differs! • www.jatropha.wur.nl

5. Report (pdf) available at: www.jatropha.wur.nl www.fact-fuels.org IFAD (photo-copy) Claims and Facts on Jatropha curcas L.

6. System approach • Understand processes on lower levels to explain or evaluate results at higher integration levels →Gives handles to interfere

7. Example of system approach • ‘Yield per hectare’ (higher level) depending on sub-processes (lower integration levels) • Radiation interception and radiation use efficiency • Growing season • Interception capacity (Leaf Area Index, Plant density, Chlorophyll content) • Photosynthesis capacity • Carbohydrate assignment to organs (roots, stems, leaves, fruits, seed) • Water availability and water use • Precipitation • Soil characteristics, soil management • Root system penetration • Transpiration characteristics • Competition

8. Based on (1960-1990): Radiation Temperature Wind speed Soil water availability Annual Growing season Africa AET/PET ratio

9. Photo: Prem Bindraban Crop growth limitations • No such thing as plants growing without water, nutrients, CO2, land, … • Low input – low yield • Competing Claims on natural resources HUGE! + water - nutrients • water • + nutrients + water + nutrients - water - nutrients

10. Yield estimation method Figure 12. Annual net primary production (NPP, g C m-2 y-1) estimated by different simulation models (Sahagian & Hibbard, 1997). (‘Claims and Facts on Jatropha curcas L.’ available at www.jatropha.wur.nl)

11. Yield estimation method (cont’d) • MAX 1000 g C ha y-1 equals 10 ton C ha y-1 • 47.5% C in dry matter: 22.2 t dry matter ha y-1 • 25% leaves, 25% stems: 50% fruits: 11.1 t ha y-1 • 70% seed in fruit: 7.77 t seed ha-1 y-1 • 35% seed oil content: 2720 kg oil ha-1 y-1 • 75% pressing efficiency : 2040 kg oil ha-1 y-1 • 0.92 kg oil liter-1 → 2220 liter oil ha-1 y-1

12. System approach for pro-poor J. curcas P C M • Plant characteristics (P) X • Crop characteristics (C) X • Management (M) X → Breeding for optimizing yield components → Breeding for pro-poor traits

13. Breeding for yield components (1) • DM Distribution: 25% leaves, 25% stems, 50% fruits • DM Distribution: 70% seed, 30% shell • DM Distribution: 35% seed oil content • (75% Pressing efficiency) • Breeding for pro-poor traits

14. Pro-poor traits J. curcas (1) P C M • Low-risk and risk-avoidance • Perennial X • Drought resistance X • Tolerance to pests and diseases X → X • J. curcas additional, and not primary X X • Intercropping , hedges→ complementary characteristics with other (food) crops

15. Pro-poor traits J. curcas (2) P C M • Combination of functions (ranking?) • Diversified products (oil, press-cake, OM) X • Erosion control (wind, water) X X • Water conservation X X • Reduce run-off, increase infiltration • Increase Soil Organic Matter (+water holding capacity) • Fences X • Branching • Toxicity

16. Pro-poor traits J. curcas (3) P C M • Low-tech management & processing • Easy harvest X X X • Easy de-shelling of fruit X X • Easy expelling and crushing of seed X X

17. Pro-poor traits J. curcas (4) P C M • Safety • Toxicity X X • Curcins • Phorbol esters

18. Pro-poor traits J. curcas (5) P C M • Integration of J. curcas in traditionalor improved and adapted farming systems • Competing claims on land, labour, inputs X X X must be low or worthwhile…

19. Breeding: genetic resource base of J. curcas • Small genetic base in India, Asia and Africa • c.f. Basha&Sujatha (Euphytica, 2007) • c.f. Yan Hong (IFAD, 2008) • Inter-hybrid crosses with other Jatropha spp. in India • Preliminary results G-JEP: Meso and South American accessions show large genetic variation • Can we find the pro-poor traits?

20. Conclusions • Base your judgment on scientific observations (please!) • Pro-poor traits differ (not necessarily yield) • Need for specific pro-poor breeding efforts • Scope for J. curcas development based on genetic diversity in Latin America

21. Thanks and Things to Think about: Raymond.Jongschaap@wur.nl Wageningen UR Plant Research International POB 16, NL-6700AA Wageningen, the Netherlands T +31 317 480570F +31 317 423110 A human mind is like an umbrella, it works best when it is open! © Wageningen UR