The sequence accelerates the identification of key traits for the oilseed-producing crop and advances its development as a high yielding, low-cost source for next generation biofuel.
Working with Life Technologies, SG Biofuels will use the sequence to generate a high quality Jatropha reference genome.
The genome will be compared to sequences generated from SG Biofuels’ germplasm library of more than 6,000 Jatropha genotypes to identify molecular markers and trait genes to accelerate development of elite cultivars with vastly superior yields and profitability, the companies said.
Jatropha curcas is a non-edible shrub that is native to Central America and its seeds contain high amounts of oil that can be used for a variety of bio-based materials including feedstock substitutes for the diesel, petrochemical and jet fuel industries.
