The definition of the most suitable plant selection criteria is especially important for Jatropha curcas L. as subsidies the genetic progress estimates and the ideotype characterization, described in terms of the traits that are thought to enhance genetic yield potential. The objective of this study was to estimate the direct and indirect effects of seven vegetative traits and four seed quality traits on J. curcas oil yield. The traits grain yield and the weight of the nuts showed direct and positive effect on the oil yield. The tree volume showed the major indirect and positive effect on the main variable through grain yield. The development of J. curcas with higher oil yield in the evaluated population has to consider the selection of plants with higher yield and tree volume, maintaining the variability of the grain quality traits.
Jatropha curcas L.; path analysis; oil yield
