I have followed up on the issues with Jatropha in WA and have had the following reply:
Quote:
Dear Tony
I talked to the weeds guy in DAFWA about a year ago on the subject of the weed status of Jatropha. He said it was unlikely that its status in WA would be reviewed. Apparently it is perceived to be a 'threat' to the pastoral industry. It may have potential as a woody weed, ie once allowed to grow here it may not be possible to confine it to the arid wastes. Also, it may have definite prospects as a source of fuel in places like India where labour is cheap, but I am not so sure about in Australia where labour is anything but cheap. It is possibly a very labour intensive crop, especially for the harvesting, that could put it out of economic viability as a source of oil in Australia. Harvesting could be mechanised, I am sure, but the equipment would have to be developed and may not be cost effective anyway. Nothing is ever as easy as one might like to view it.
There are a coulpe of other oilseed producing trees that could also be considered; Moringa oleifera and Pongamia pinnata. There has been some initial work done in DAFWA into these, ie a general look see. Then again, olive oil would make an excellent biodiesel and there are lots of olive trees around.
Regards
Margaret C.
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Now, Jatropha may be just the "bees knees" for biodiesel in many locations, but canola and mustard are suited to low labour cost, broadacre production, which provide the maximum amount of oil per $.