Move over corn, a new crop is cornering the alternative fuel market and University of Florida researchers say this plant could be a solution for the high cost of diesel fuel.

For years, jatropha curcas plants grew well in the drought conditions and margin soils of India, Africa, and China. The plant's seeds are high in oil that can be made into bio-diesel fuel. Now UF researchers are planting the trees in southwest Florida where the climate and soil is better, which could lead to a higher number of seeds. And, researcher Roy Beckford says jatropha curcas already outproduces the two leading bio-fuel crops by more than 500%.

Beckford: "Soy and corn produce, in terms of oil yield, less than one hundred gallons per acre per year. Jatropha has the potential to produce at minimum 600 gallons per acre."

Researchers say the plant could produce as much as a thousand gallons of bio-diesel per acre per year, once they figure out the best way to harvest the seeds.

Beckford: "We may have to use some hand harvesting at first, but certainly that's one of the things I'll be doing at the demonstration plots. I'll definitely be looking at various ways to harvest this mechanically."

Researchers will monitor the first test plot of the plants to determine the yield, speed of growth, and best growing methods. http://www.eflorida.com/innovationcenter