Biodiesel and Ethanol Investing

Western Farm Press reports that The University of California, Davis is conducting research on the oil plant jatropha to determine if the plant can be grown successfully and profitably in Southern California to produce biodiesel. The trial, funded by Chevron, already has its first acre parcel growing as part of the study. Jatropha produces fruit for about 30 years and has three kidney-bean sized seeds which contain about 50 percent oil. An acre of jatropha is said to have the potential to produce from 500 to 600 gallons of biodiesel per acre per year. Southern California seems to be an ideal region for growing jatropha.