Jojoba production in arid areas

<p>Abobatta WF</p>

Jojoba production in arid areas

Abobatta WF

Agriculture Research Center, Egypt

: J Plant Physiol Pathol

Abstract

Jojoba, [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider] tree is considered one of the most practical and scientific solutions for desert plantation in arid areas. Jojoba is native to the semiarid regions of southern United States of America (Arizona & California (and northwestern Mexico. Now Jojoba has attracted much attention in recent decades, for Jojoba oil which unique in nature, Jojoba can be grown as an oil-producing cash crop, it’s considered a new oilproducing industrial crop, until now there’s no other plant is known to produce oil like jojoba. It’s used in different industries purposes like cosmetic, medical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and automotive industries (as lubricant), also, it is a renewable energy resource. Now Jojoba is being cultivated in several arid and semi-arid countries all over the world such as Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and MENA region. Jojoba an evergreen shrub and very drought-resistant, it could be grown on marginal lands without replacing any existing crops. Fully mature shrubs can reach a height of 15 feet (2-4 meters) with 15 meters long root approximately, with a potential natural life span up to 100 years depending on environmental conditions. For optimum production, the crop needs irrigation, care, and a good cultivar. It produces a peanut-like seed with a thick brown coat. Jojoba seed can yield 40 up to 50% pure oil chemically classified as liquid wax that gives it a great advantage as natural oil for industrial purposes, which also make it environmentally safe. Additionally, the meal remaining from seed pressing contains 30% protein that consists of 17 amino acids, 7 of which are essential amino acids. After treatment, the meal becomes suitable for utilization as cattle/fish feed and /or organic fertilizers.