With the increasing demand for oils for biofuel production, species with high oil content, like physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), are important alternatives in the face of traditional options. Considering that flowering is distributed throughout the development cycle of physic nut crop, the aim of this work was to determine the harvest time, in days after flowering, appropriate to maximize oil yield and physiological quality of seed. In two growing seasons, 2010/2011 (Year 1) and 2011/2012 (Year 2), at Paranavaí in the State of Paraná. Physic nut fruits were harvested at five times, determined by days after flowering: 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90. In completely randomized design, in a split-plot design the water content, dry matter, total lipids, seedling emergence in sand and speed of emergence-index were determined. By the behavior of the variables, harvests should be performed from seventy-five days after flowering.
physiological maturity; lipids content; germination; biofuels
