Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate physiological processes in contrasting physic nut (Jatropha curcas) genotypes during the flowering and fruiting stages. Gas exchange parameters were measured using an infrared gas analyzer, and morphological traits were evaluated during each stage under natural conditions, in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. Differences in yield between J. curcas accessions were not related to photosynthetic performance, but rather to the number of inflorescences and female flowers, which are genetically determined. Moreover, the net CO2 assimilation was equivalent in both genotypes, although they produced different amount of fruit. The genotypes differed consistently in terms of carboxylation... |