An efficient and rapid adventitious shoot regeneration system from young cotyledons of Jatropha curcas L. was developed. After testing several combinations of plant growth regulators, the highest regeneration frequency was obtained for the medium supplemented with 3 mg/l BA and 0.1 mg/l IBA. This system will be useful for promoting genetic improvement efforts in J. curcas. (C) 2010, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.