An overview of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) pests, diseases and management in North-Western Nigeria

The growing and management of Jatropha curcas, either on private, public or community land is poorly documented and there is little field experience that is being shared especially in North western Nigeria where it is still grown wild. The few growers are unable to achieve the optimum economic benefit from the plants. However, the recent importance attached to Jatropha in the Nigerian Savanna agro-ecology have revealed that, the crop is subject to attack by a diversity of arthropod pests’ species and diseases, some of which may warrant control measures taken against them. Diseases caused by a number of plant pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms such as fungi, bacteria, virus etc often have a significant economic impact on yield and quality of Jatropha plant, hence the need for adopting control measures become imperative in order to be managed for successful production. Therefore, there is need to conduct a research on common diseases affecting the growth and development of J. curcas and possible management practices in north western Nigeria.