Jatropha curcas crop is raising attention as an alternative crop for biodiesel production. Despite the irrigation and mineral fertilization to promote increase of Jatropha curcas yield, few studies have been conducted on this issue. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the growth and productivity of Jatropha curcas, in response to irrigation management and potassium fertilization doses. The field experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Lavras in the southern part of the State of Minas Gerais. Four different irrigation depths, corresponding to different fractions (0, 40, 80, 120%) of the Class A pan evaporation (ECA), and four potassium doses (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1 of K2O) were used as treatments. To evaluate the growth and yield of Jatropha curcas seeds the data corresponding to first and second year of cultivation was used. The results showed that plants irrigated showed better productivity and initial growth, while potassium fertilization levels did not show significant effect.
biofuels; water management; mineral nutrition
