A rapid and effective system of somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis from leaf transverse thin cell layers (TCLs) of Jatropha curcas L. was established. The effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on callus induction, direct or indirect adventitious shoot bud regeneration and somatic embryogenesis were studied. A large number of small shoot clumps were induced directly on MS medium containing 1 mg/l BA and 1 mg/l kinetin. For shoot elongation, small shoot clumps were transferred to MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l GA.1 and 20 percent coconut water. In indirect organogenesis, green, compact callus was formed on media containing kinetin and IBA. Nodular structures started to differentiate into shoot buds when hard compact callus was transferred to fresh medium containing 1.5 mg/l kinetin. Rooting was obtained by transferring shoots to MS 1/2 containing 0.5 mg/l NAA. Embryogenic calli were induced and proliferated on MS medium supplemented with kinetin (0.5 - 2.0 mg/l) and 2.4-D (1.0 - 1.5 mg/l). Vigor somatic embryos were obtained on embryo formation medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l kinetin and 0.05 mg/l 2.4-D. These embryos developed to plants with normal phenotype and rooted easily in growth regulator-free haft-strength MS medium. Regenerated plantlets derived from organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were acclimatized in greenhouse conditions with a high survival rate (70 percent and 90 percent, respectively).