MACHADO, R    BRUNET, J. Collection and characterization of Jatropha curcas L. provenances. []. , 37, 2, pp. 145-150. ISSN 0864-0394.

The objective of this study was to characterize nine Jatropha curcas provenances, collected in several provinces of Cuba, during the nursery and establishment stages. To characterize these materials the methodology for the collection and characterization of germplasm was used. In the nursery, the rooting of the propagules happened since 7 or 14 days after planting; while seedling emergence, when seeds were used, occurred 14 days after sowing. The survival percentage of the propagules fluctuated between 20 and 86,6 %, and from seed, from 86,6 to 90 %. In the field, survival varied between 66,6 and 100 % in the provenances transplanted by propagules and, in general, it was higher than the one detected in the nursery. In the provenances transplanted by seedlings no variation was detected in survival (90,9 % for the two accessions: CSSS-5 and CSS-6). It is concluded that the percentage of sprouting, emergence, rooting and survival were very variable indicators, under nursery as well as under field conditions, which was closely linked to the genotype, age and seed quality of the collected materials (propagules as well as seed). It is recommended to collect J. curcas in other zones, in order to contribute to the increase of the germplasm of this important species, which constitutes an alternative genetic resource for biofuel production

: nurseries; plant establishment; propagules; seedlings; survival.

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