SGB Confirms Genetic Diversity of Jatropha Is Comparable to Corn

(SG Biofuels/Biodiesel Magazine) ...Through the use of new genetic technologies, SGB’s scientists have revealed that the company’s germplasm collection can be divided into a number of distinct heterotic clades, or genetically related groupings of plants. In contrast to previous studies, these findings confirm significant genetic diversity in jatropha while enabling SGB breeders to maximize hybrid vigor by identifying the most genetically diverse parental lines to use for the creation of elite hybrid seeds. Hybrid vigor, also known as heterosis, results in higher yields, improved plant health and increased stress tolerance. SGB’s first-generation hybrids have outperformed commercial jatropha planting materials at 13 hybrid trial sites located across Brazil, India and Central America.

“Once thought to lack genetic diversity, our molecular studies have confirmed that Jatropha curcas is genetically diverse and well-suited for significant yield improvements,” said Eric Mathur, chief technologist at SGB. “Based on these results, the performance of our first-generation hybrids merely scratches the surface of the underlying genetic potential of jatropha; not only in terms of continued yield improvements, but also through reduction of input costs and improvement of the harvest index.” READ MORE and MORE (BioInvest Digest)