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Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)
Afrikaans | Xhosa
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Jojoba is a slow growing desert shrub that produces seeds that contain oil that seems to have exceptional commercial promise. |
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Jojoba seeds contain nearly 50 percent oil, which differs from common vegetable oils. It has promising lubricant qualities. Derivates of jojoba oil find its way in the manufacturing of a long list of chemical products. Cosmetic companies use the oil in sun, skin and lipcare products. These deep-rooted long-lived perennial plants can produce seeds in arid environments where many conventional crops can not survive. It is robust, drought tolerant and withstand desert heat without requiring much water or shade. Jojoba plants are either male or female. The flowers of the females which produces the seeds has to depend on wind for pollination. One female plant for every five females will be sufficient. The flowering starts in springtime and the fruit become matured in autumn. |
Plantation establishment
Direct seeding
Well-prepared soil can be used for direct planting of seeds by using the same type of planters used for cottonseed. Seed will germinate well during spring at a temperature between 25°C - 35°C. About 50% of the seed will be male plants. Seedlings can be produced in plastic bags and transplanted when the plants have developed sufficiently.
Cuttings
Cuttings can be produced for propagation by using heat to accelerate the process. Using cuttings is more expensive than seedlings but it gives more uniform plants of known sex.
Tissue culture
This is another option but the technique are relatively expensive and more sophisticated skills are required.
Spacing
Spacing will depend on the size of the adult plants but 1,000 plants per hectare may be a good average.
Irrigation
For normal production jojoba needs less water than most other known crops, however the plant need 400 mm and more for optimum production. Irrigation systems may differ from flood to micro irrigation depending on the soil texture and quality of the water.
Pests and diseases
Pests normally do not damage the plants although many insects have been identified on the plants.
Poorly drained soils can cause root diseases and therefore well-drained soils have to be used for the production of jojoba.
Although animals are perhaps not very fond of jojoba foliage is it recommended that jojoba lands are protected by the necessary fencing.
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Harvesting Mechanically harvesting are used in some countries, but it has the disadvantage that all the seeds do not mature at the same time. When the seeds fall off naturally, it is mature, dry and already dehulled. The seeds can be picked up by hand which can be very expensive but the seeds in this case are to a large extent free from foreign material. Several methods are applied to make hand picking easier and more profitable. |
Pruning
Pruning is not very important unless one wants the shrub bearing the seed at a, level that will improve mechanical harvesting.
Economy
Yields may differ from pant to plant and from year to year but an average of 1.8kg seeds per plant at 7 - 8 years seams realistic while the estimated price could be R25 / kilogram. The cost of harvesting may be the most the most expensive part of production cost. Management plays an important role in this respect.
BFA Visser
ELSENBURG / LITTLE KAROO ADC
