Prospect of bioactive molecules from Jatropha curcas to improve soil and microbial quality for sustainable agriculture

Recently, there has been increased interest promoting bioenergy as an alternate renewable energy source. Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas is an important form of bioenergy and have potential application in transportation sector. However, there is lack of understanding on relevance of J. curcas influencing soil properties and agriculture important for ecological services. Review defines different bioactive molecules found in J. curcas, rhizospheric microbial diversity, and allelopathic effect and management of J. curcas for sustainable agriculture. J. curcas harbours arbuscular mycorrhizae like Acaulospora sp., Gigaspora sp., Glomus sp., Sclerocystis sp. and Scutellospora sp. Bacteria including Azotobacter, Rhizobium, Pleomorphomonas diazotrophica, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis has been found associated with J. curcas rhizosphere. J. curcas render ecosystem service by fixing 5100-6100 kg ha−1 C as the aboveground plus belowground biomass. J. curcas biomass recycled into the soil results into significant increase in soil macro and micro nutrients. Review identifies knowledge gap and perspective research on J. curcas as an opportunity resolving global agriculture and environmental issues. Key words: Bioenergy, Jatropha curcas, bioactive compounds, microbial diversity, agriculture.