V. SivajiKachhap, Pankaj2024-10-072024-10-072006https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810215449Jatrha curas a multipurpose plant to alleviate soil degradation, desertification, deforestation and also can be used for bio – energy to replace costly petrol-diesel, for soap production, bio –fence, plant protectant as pesticide, insecticide, medicines and climatic protection. Jatropha can help to increase rural income , self-sustainability and alleviate proverty for man, woman, tribal community , small farmer or nation as a whole hence deserves specific attention. Climatic conditions prevailing in this region have vast potential for the growth of Jatropha . Important hurdle is to select suitable provenance for better establishment, good growth, and better seed production. There is no recommendation of a specific provenance for this region. Therefore, a trial study for the evaluation of twelve provenances of Jatropha has been undertaken. For this, twelve provenances namely Niwara Nagpur, PKVJ-DHW1-AKOLA, Mancheswar Orissa, TFRI-II Jabalpur, RJ-117 Rahuri, Barmuda Orissa, J Set 2 Pantnagar, TERI-Jabalpur, JSel1, Pantnagar Kalyanpur Orissa, PKVJ-MKU 1 Akola, and Ranchi Jharkhand were tried. Experiment was conducted in completely randomized design having three replicaitons. Data were collected on seed characteristics such as seed length, seed width, and seed weight , Seeds were sowm in nursery to study seed germination percent and different growth parameters like seedling height, collar diameter, number of leaves and leaf area were measured at monthly interval for four months. At the end of four months experimental period, length of primary root , number of lateral roots , estimation of biomass, root –shoot ratio, sturdiness and Dickson quality index were also studied. Seed characteristics viz. seed length, seed width and seed weight, have been found maximum 19.64mm, 9.20mm,086 gm respectively, from PKVJ-MKU1-Akola provenance while minimum value of seed length 16.90mm, seed width 7.08mm, seed weight 0.58 gm has been found from Niwara Nagpur Provenance. Maximum germination percent 86.67has been found from Niwara Nagpur Provenance and minimum germination percent 21.33% has been found from Barmuda (Orissa ) provenance. Among the Growth Parameters Maximum seedling height, collar diameter, Number of leaves and leaf area have been found from TFRI-2 Jabalpur provenance and minimum seedling height, collar diameter, number of leaves and leaf area have been exhibited by Barmuda Orissa Provenance. On the basis of over all parameters studies such as seed characteristics and seedlings growth performance, TFRI2 Jabalpur provenance may be considered as best one for raising plantation be planting the seedlings. If plantation is to be raised by sowing the seed Niwara Nagpur provenance may by considered , Ranchi provenance also may be considered for raising plantation both by sowing and planting the seedling as it had exhibited good results and also reduce the cost of raising the pEnglishThesis