Valeria Cafaro

The aim of my research is to optimise the cultivation techniques of Castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) in arid and semi-arid environments in order to maximize yield obtainable in marginal areas and to improve the qualitative characteristics of the oil for the production of biodiesel. Moreover the selection of an improved variety of Ricinus communis will be carried out. The project is divided into two research lines. - Castor cultivation (optimization of cultivation techniques) and evaluation of the bioenergy conversion (biodiesel and bioethanol). - Development of new Castor varieties with high oil content. The first one is splitted into six subline (i) evaluation of the reduction of crop inputs (water), (ii) evaluation of the productivity of different Ricinus communis L. genotypes, in relation to different transplanting and seeding density, (iii) evaluation of the productivity of different Ricinus communis L. genotypes in relation to different harvesting treatments, (iv) qualitative biomass analysis (oil and residual biomass), (v) production of biodiesel and (vi) production of bioethanol.