Research Journal of Forestry1819-34392151-8262Science International10.3923/rjf.2014.56.63Jatropha curcas L. Seed]]>WolkaKebede HabteYidnekachew 2201482The Jatropha curcas L. is a biodiesel rich plant species native to Central America and Mexico and is now naturalized in Ethiopia at farm boundaries and hedges. Owing to increasing demand for fossil fuel and its predicted decline, the importance of alternative energy has been increased in Ethiopia. However, research outcomes lack on period and condition of storing seed of this plant before propagation. This study aims to assess the viability of Jatropha curcas seed when stored in high, middle and low elevation sites with varying packing material. Matured seeds were collected from vigorous mother trees and air-dried. Seeds were stored at rooms in cool, medium and hot climatic conditions three different packing media in terms of air circulation (sisal, sack and sack with plastic bag) were used. The seed was stored for 450 days in each place. The three climatic categories and three packing media combination created 9 treatments. Germination was tested in a seed germination chamber filled with common soil for nursery seedbed and placed in a glass house. The 9 treatments were arranged in random block design with 3 replications. In each treatment and replication 128 seeds were properly sown. Starting from 4th day of sowing, germination was recorded until day 35. Variation in germination percent, speed of germination, mean germination time, mean daily germination, peak value and germination value was analyzed using ANOVA and LSD. For all parameters, there was no overall significant variation (at p<0.05). However, when mean of each treatment was compared, treatment 8 has the lowest value. Each treatment showed satisfactory germination (even the lowest was 88%). Thus, we conclude that the seed of Jatropha curcas can be stored for 450 days at rooms in three climatic categories with varying packing material for propagation purposes.]]>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.]]>3210631084Radesse, A.,2006Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. invasion on plant biodiversity and soil properties in the Middle Awash, Rift Valley, Ethiopia.]]>2006Batin, C.B.,2011Jatropha Curcas L. fruit based on color at two different seasons in Northern Philippines.]]>2011pp: 94100Booth, D.T. and S. Sowa,2001483539Czabator, F.J.,19628386396Ellis, R.A. and E.H. Roberts,19819373409Gemechu, F.,20062006Gairola, K.C., A.R. Nautiyal and A.K. Dwivedi,2011Jatropha curcas Linn.]]>26671Alemaw, G.,20102010Heller, 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.]]>28110Mohan, N., S. Nikdad and G. Singh,2011Jatropha curcas L. under in vitro conditions.]]>1187194Moncaleano-Escandon, J., B.C.F. Silva, S.R.S. Silva, J.A.A. Granja, M.C.J.L. Alves and M.F. Pompelli,2013Jatropha curcas L. seeds to storage and aging.]]>44684690Ncube, T., R.L. Howard, E.K. Abotsi, J.E.L. van Rensburg and I. Ncube,2012Jatropha curcas seed cake as substrate for production of xylanase and cellulase by Aspergillus niger FGSCA733 in solid-state fermentation.]]>37118123Rice, K.J. and A.R. Dyer,2001Bromus tectorum.]]>155237243Sarin, R., M. Sharma, S. Sinharay and R.K. Malhotra,20078613651371Worang, R.L., O.S. Dharmaputra and R. Syarief,2008Jatropha curcas L.) seeds packed in plastic material during storage.]]>152536