Castor (Ricinus cumnis) is a crop of industrial significance which involves minimum risk and inputs. This crop can be raised as an inter crop with green gram, black gram, red gram and play additive roll in economics of castor production. It also helps in reducing sand dune in desert area.
Climate :
Hot and humid climates suits to castor, High moisture at the same time of germination may damage the crop due to fungus development. More than 41 0 C temperature reduces female flowers which ultimately lessens yield.
Soil :
It is an important oil seed crop which can be grown in all types of soils except heavy soils and water logging conditions.
Sowing Time :
Castor can be sown from may to 2 week of July but most suitable time of sowing of castor is 1 st week of July.
Varieties :
Prayas – 1, Prayas – 2
Seed Rate :
Sow only F- 1 seed of hybrid varieties @ 2Kg/acre. 5 Kg seed of open pollinated varieties is sufficient for one acre sowing. Seed treated with fungicide curbs soaked into water for 12 hours for quicker germination soaking of seed in 0.1% solution of KNO 3 for six house quickens germination.
Sowing Method :
Castor sowing at 120 * 90 cm or 150 * 90 com with the depth increases unwanted vegetative growth and reduces development of lateral branches which ultimately lessens the yield.
Fertilizer :
Castor being deep rooted and dry land crop requires lesser amount of fertilizer. However, higher yi8eld can be obtained by adopting following doses of fertilizer as under :
At the time of showing :
35 kg DAP coupled with 150 kg gypsum/acre.
At the time of first flowering :
35 kg urea application after 50 to 55 days of the sowing induces productivity in castor. Higher quantity of nitrogenous fertilizer should be avoided in castor.
Irrigation :
Very appropriate time for first irrigation of castor is 30 to 35 days after sowing followed by second at the age of 60 to 65 says. Further irrigation may be adjusted according to rain and availability of water.
Weed Control :
Keep the castor seed field free of weeds. Spraying of @ 600 to 800 gm/acre controls the weeds in castor.
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