Cultivation of the Multipurpose Tree, Jatropha curcas Using Recycled Water in Saudi Arabia: A forward-looking Study

The lack of water is one of the most important global and local challenges. Therefore, the use of useful trees which are tolerant to difficult environmental conditions and their cultivation requirements are the least. Hence, the idea of this study is to raise the possibility of using sewage water to grow Jatropha trees and exploiting this tree to combat desertification and produce biofuels in Saudi Arabia. In addition, Saudi Arabia invested about US$23 billion in the infrastructure of sewage gathering and treatment. The adaptability of Jatropha to cultivation in harsh conditions, with the increasing global demand for renewable fuel sources, put Jatropha among the most promising alternative and low-cost feedstocks of biofuel crops. Furthermore, Jatropha oil may be utilized in saponification reactions to produce soap. Also, this oil is approved for cooking and lighting. Thus, Jatropha system could comprise essential quarters of rustic and regional development. Jatropha is cultivated on one million ha worldwide. In addition, many studies recommended Jatropha to be planted in poor lands of Egypt using nutritious and recycled treated wastewater, and to be a component of Egyptian strategy for renewable energy production. Overall, this study suggested that Jatropha tree is adaptable to the Saudi environment and can be cultivated using treated sewage water. In addition, Jatropha cultivation requirements are minimal, while its benefits are maximal.