Agronomic performance of castor under different growing conditions

Francisco Eduardo Torres,Anna Catharina Gomes,Paulo Eduardo Teodoro,Kamila Vieira Lopes,Fernanda Baptistella Hernandes,Reliane Lima Fernandes

doi:10.14393/bj-v32n1a2016-29389

Abstract

Castor has emerged as an oilseed species capable of meeting the demand of the Brazilian market. Thus, there is a need for studies to evaluate the different growing conditions that this species can be cultivated in order to subsidize their production. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different growing conditions on agronomic performance of seven castor bean cultivars grown in Savanna-Pantanal ecotone region. The trial was conducted at Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Aquidauana Campus. Treatments consisted of seven castor bean cultivars (BRS Energia, IAC-2028, IAC-Guarani, BRS Nordestina, BRS Paraguacu, IAC-80 and IAC-226) and three growing conditions (with weed control and without topdress nitrogen; with topdress nitrogen at 80 kg ha -1 and with weed control; without weed control and absence of topdress nitrogen) in two agricultural years (2011 and 2012), arranged in randomized block design with three replications in factorial arrangement (7 x 3 x 2). The following variables were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, number of bunches, number of fruits and fruit yield. The cultivars BRS Energia, IAC 2028, IAC Guarani and BRS Paraguacu obtained greater fruit yield. Topdress nitrogen and weed control provided to cultivars the highest stem diameter, number of bunches, number of fruits and fruit yield.

Highlights

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an oilseed belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, currently being grown in several countries
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different growing conditions on the agronomic performance of castor cultivars grown in the Savanna-Pantanal ecotone region
The treatments consisted of seven castor bean cultivars

Summary

Introduction

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an oilseed belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, currently being grown in several countries. The crop is have been highlighted mainly for its oil production, which has numerous applications in industrial area, with perspective of use as an energy source in biodiesel production (BELTRÃO et al, 2006; TORRES et al, 2013, 2015a,b). The national productivity of 180 kg ha-1 (harvest 2013/2014), is considered low when compared to crop production potential, which according to Severino et al (2006) and Soratto et al (2011) exceeds 4,000 kg ha-1. It should be emphasized that, to achieve economically viable productivities with the crop, it is necessary to adequately meet the nutritional requirements of the plant (CHIARADIA et al, 2009). Castor is a plant that needs to be grown in very fertile soils to reach good productivity, being the nitrogen (N) the most exported nutrient by the crop. The absence of nitrogen impedes the initial plant growth, because this element is part of protein and amino acids, and their lack delays the initial plant growth for making impossible the carbon incorporation (EPSTEIN; BLOOM, 2006)

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Conclusion