Phenology and Fruiting Behaviour of Safed Arand (Jatropha curcas L.)

Phenology of Jatropha curcas was studied by selecting 10 plants and taking monthly observations on leaf shedding, leaf flushing, flowering and fruiting. The extent of fruit set in different modes of pollination viz., open pollination, self pollination and wind pollination was determined. The plant displayed phenological cycle twice a year for all periodical events viz., leaf shedding, leaf flushing, flowering and fruiting. The first cycle lasts from January to July and second cycle starts from May and ends in November. However, the duration of flowering stage was longer in second season as it coincides with rainy season. Fruiting appeared from fourth week of May tofirst week of July in first season and from second week of October to third week of November in second season. The fruit attained yellow to brown stage of maturity at 16 to 19 days after fruit set. The maximum mean length (33.23mm) and diameter (29.17mm) were recorded in greenish yellow coloured fruit followed by yellow coloured fruit with 31.97mm length and 28.47mm diameter. The flower drop in inflorescence was 94.01% and only 3.99% of flowers set in to fruits.