Asian Journal of Agricultural Research1819-1894xxxx-xxxxKnowledgia Review10.3923/ajar.2013.43.50Jatropha curcas L.) under Different Soil and Climatic Conditions in Kenya]]>ObieroCharles BirechRhoda JoyceMaling`a KibetNg`etich FreyerBernhard 1201371As the worlds fossil fuel reseverves is shown to be out of oil supply in a few years from now, efforts to finding an alternative, environmentally friendly and sustainable sources of fuel have been heightened towards on-farm biodiesel production and industrial processing of bioethanol. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) has been selected among other biodiesel feedstocks targeted for this on-farm biodiesel production with intensive production witnessed in India. In Kenya, however, smallholder farmers are found growing Jatropha despite the limited knowledge about its agro-ecological adaptability. The study hypothesis was that regions for biofuel production have not been properly identified in Kenya. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study the performance of Jatropha under different soil and climatic conditions within the smallholder farms in Kenya. A quantitative baseline survey was conducted from July to August, 2010 in 140 randomly selected farms in Lamu, Kibwezi, Nyando and Bondo districts of Kenya (35 per district). A qualitative in-depth study of 5 farms chosen randomly from each region was also done to verify the information obtained. Results showed that performance of Jatropha was positively linked to humid conditions, well distributed annual rainfall of 500-750 mm, moderately sandy to loam soils, neutral pH and good level of management. It was concluded that good crop management together with climatic and soil suitability are important for successful Jatropha production. Furthermore, it was evident that not all regions where Jatropha is promoted for production in Kenya, though, with suitable climate and soils, support the crop without proper crop management practices.]]>Achten, W.M.J., L. Verchot, Y.J. Franken, E. Mathijs, V.P. Singh, R. Aerts and B. Muys,2008Jatropha bio-diesel production and use.]]>3210631084Baumgart, S.,20072007Netherlands.Brandt, A.R.,20073530743088Brittaine, R. and N. Lutaladio,20102010Campbell, C.J.,20063413191325 El-Diwani, G., S. El Rafei, S. Hawash and A. Khalil,201211117123Foidl, N., G. Foidl, M. Sanchez, M. Mittelbach and S. Hackel,1996Jatropha curcas L. as a source for the production of biofuel in Nicaragua.]]>587782Francis, G., R. Edinger and K. Becker,2005Jatropha plantations.]]>291224Gill, J.S., J. Tisdall, Sukartono, I.G.M. Kusnarta and B.M. McKenzie,20042004Greene, D.L., J.L. Hopson and J. Li,20063e495515531Heller, J.,1996Jatropha curcas L.: Promoting the Conservation and Use of Underutilized and Neglected Crops. 1.]]>Pages: 66Pages: 66Kumar, A. and S. Sharma,2008Jatropha curcas L.): A review.]]>28110Makkar, H.P.S., K. Becker, F. Sporer and M. Wink,1997Jatropha curcas.]]>4531523157Mohapatra, S. and P.K. Panda,2011Jatropha curcas L. in an aeric tropaquept of eastern India.]]>395100Okalebo, J.R., K.W. Gathua and P.L. Woomer,20022nd Edn.,Openshaw, K.,2000Jatropha curcas: An oil plant of unfulfilled promise.]]>19115Sujatha, M., T.P. Reddy and M.J. Mahas,2008Ricinus communis L.) and Jatropha curcas L.]]>26424435Suriharn, B., J. Sanitchon, P. Songsri and T. Kesmala,2011Jatropha curcas L.).]]>105259Yawson, D.O., M. Bonsu, F.A. Armah and E.K.A. Afrifa,2011Helianthus annuus L.) in a tropical humid-coastal savanna zone.]]>618