Effect of Drying Temperature in the Physiological Quality of Jatropha curcas Seeds

Abstract

Stimulating the use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, especially biofuels, has become one of the alternatives to the issue of global warming. Of these species listed for the production of biodiesel is the Jatropha curcas crop. The aim of this study was to analyze the drying of the seeds of Jatropha, as well as to verify the effect of the different temperatures on the quality of the product, germination percentage and Emergence speed index (ESI). The experimental design was a completely randomized design, with four replications. Experimental drier was used to test the temperatures of 29, 35, 40, 45 and 50 °C and the data were compared by regression equation. The vigor and germination of the jatropha seeds were little affected as the drying temperatures were increased to 50 °C.