Castor
Erandi
Euphorbiaceae
Ricinus communis
Improved varieties and hybrids – Varietes - TMV-5, TMV-6, CO-1, Aruna
Hybrids - NPH-1, GAUCH-4, YRCH-1, TMVCH
Proper time for sowing of castor is kharif season
castor crop can be grown from sea level to altitudes of about 1000 meter. Castor crop requires a hot, dry climate with annual rainfall of 500-800 mmof which 500-600 mm is needed during the first 3 months of crop growth. Castor is an ideal crop for marginal lands of the dry zone where it can be grown under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. This crop is sensitive to high humidity and high temperatures above 400c and impacts the crop yield.
Castor is cultivated in lands which are not suitable for commercial farming. Castor can come up well in soils that are not that fertile and soils having less annual rainfall. Castor seeds can be grown on a wide range of soils which are fairly deep and well drained. The most suitable soils for castor cultivation are deep, moderately fertile, with slightly acidic condition and well drained sandy loam soils. The ideal soil pH should be 6.0 for better yield . It can be cultivated on soil with pH range of 5.0 to 8.5
Land preparation is an important task in castor cultivation. Give 3 or 4 deep ploughings to loosen up the soil as this crop requires well pulverized 40 cm deep loose sub soil for good germination. Land or seed bed should be weed free and any weeds from previous crops should be removed. The clods should be crushed by using a country plough or harrow with onset of monsoons.
It is recommended to treat the seeds with Carbendazim @ 2 gm/kg of seed for preventing seed borne diseases like root rot and Alternaria blight. Soaking the seeds in water for 18 to 20 hrs is advised. In rainfed situations seed priming with 1 % KCL for 3 hrs and sowing 7 days before onset of monsoon is recommended.
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The seed should be sown either by plough furrow or with a seed drill or by hand dibbling.
Castor bean is usually planted just before the rainy season in the month of June. However it can be cultivated throughout the year in areas where irrigation facility is available.
The spacing adopted generally ranges from 90-120 cm between rows and 40-60 cm between plants.
10-12 kg/ha
a) Thinning and gap filling
Gap fill should be carried out on the 15th day of sowing and simultaneously thinning should be done leaving one healthy plant
b) Weeding and hoeing
One or two weedings and hoeings with bullock drawn implements should be given and sometimes the plants should be earthen up.
Spread 12 ro 13 tones /ha of well decomposed farm yard manure (FYM) or compost evenly on the main field before last ploughing and incorpoate in to soilby working a country plough. Apply 25 kg sulphur/ha through gypsum at the time of last ploughing for higher castor yield. The castor crop requires a fertilizer dose of NPK as 40:40:20 kg/ha. As a basal application apply full dose of P and K and half dose of n. The remaining half dose of N should be applied one month after sowing when the soil moisture is adequate.
Rainfed crop doesnot need any irrigation. However in irrigated crop water should be provided weekly twice. Frequency of irrigation depends on the soil type , climate and crop stage.
One or two weedings and hoeings are necessary. Apply preemergence herbicid Pendimethalin @ 3 liter/ha or Fluchloralin @ 2 liter/ha on 3 days after sowing followed by hand weeding twice on 21st and 40th day after sowing the seed.
The other soil borne diseases like seedling blight and Alternaria blight are also major concerns in castor crop. Water logged areas low lying area should be avoided to prevent the seedling blight.
The common and serious pests in castor cultivation are capsule borer and semi looper. To control these pests dusting BHC 10 % in early stages or spraying 0.1% Carbaryl on the crop should be carried.
Maturity of crop depend on the variety. Most of the improved cultivars mature in about 140-175 days. The easy indication of castor maturity is when 1 or 2 capsules in bunch show sign of drying. The whole cluster should be removed and stacked. The harvesting of unripe capsules has an adverse effect on the oil content of the seed these should be avoided.
To collect the fruits when they ripen. After collecting entire crop it should be dried in sun for couple of days and threshing should be done by beating the dried capsule with the help of stick. In rural areas farmers use bullocks for threshing these crops. Winnowing should be done in the usual manner. One can use castor sheller as well to separate the seed.
From rainfed crop = average yield is 250 to 500 kg/ha
From mixed crop = average yield is 100 to 200 kg/ha
From irrigated crop = average yield is 550 to 800 kg/ha
storage bins, gunny bags, polythene bags
Oil seed companies, Soap Industry, Medicines
1) Castor oil is very useful for heals inflamed skin, fights signs of Ageing
2) Reduces Acne, Moisturises skin, Fades blemishes.
3) Promotes hair growth, treat scalp infections
4) Prevent stretch marks, reduces pigmentation, act as laxative, boosts immunity
5) Reduces joint pain / Arthritis
6) It is used as lubricant in high speed engines and aeroplanes in the manufacture of soap, transparent paper, printing ink, varnishes
7) Castor seeds are also being used for medicinal and lighting purposes.
8) Castor seed contain 45 to 60% oil that is rich in triglycerides, mainly ricinolein.
Cleaning, grading and packed in polythene bags or gunny bags.
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra
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