Effect of Foliar Application of Femi Grow on Female Flowers, Fruit Set and Seed Yield of <i>Jatropha Curcas</i> L

Abstract

<i>Jatropha curcas</i> L. is a perennial shrub with proven potential as a biofuel source in addition to its immense medicinal utility. The seed and oil yield of plant is low due to high male to female flowers ratio. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of exogenous application of a herbal formulation named “Femi-grow” on flower development, sex determination, fruit set, seed and oil yield of <i>J. curcas</i>. The effect of exogenous application of Femi-grow significantly increased the total number of flowers per inflorescence and decreased the male to female flowers ratio. It also enhanced the percentage fruit set, fruit weight, fruit length and seed as well oil yield.