H. B. Doumbia, A. M. Maiga A. Korbo, D. Timbely, A. Diallo, I. Traore Jatropha, oil, semi-arid, drought, yield, correlatation 44-57 10 (1) January 2026 Jatropha curcas L. is widely recognized as a promising bioenergy crop for semi-arid regions due to its drought tolerance and ability to produce oil-rich seeds under low-input conditions. However, its productivity remains inconsistent, largely due to environmental stress and suboptimal agronomic practices. Among these, pruning is commonly recommended to improve plant architecture and enhance yield, yet its effectiveness under semi-arid conditions remains unclear. This study evaluated the short-term effects of pruning on vegetative growth and seed production of Jatropha using 19 and 28 accessions in two field trials conducted under semi-arid conditions in Mali. A pruning treatment was applied at 50 cm height and compared with non-pruned controls. Vegetative traits and reproductive parameters were monitored over two growing seasons and analyzed using mixed linear models. Results revealed that pruning significantly reduced plant height (15–25%) and branching intensity, while root collar diameter remained unaffected. More importantly, seed yield in pruned trees decreased by approximately 57% compared to non-pruned plants. Monthly analysis showed consistently significant reductions in seed production, with peak yield occurring in August. Correlation analysis indicated that fruit biomass was strongly associated with seed yield, whereas vegetative traits exhibited only moderate relationships with productivity. We observed that severe pruning at early growth stages is not suitable for Jatropha under semi-arid conditions. Maintaining canopy integrity is essential for sustaining productivity, and alternative pruning strategies should be explored. This study provides important insights for optimizing agronomic practices and improving the sustainability of Jatropha-based bioenergy systems in marginal environments.