Abstract
A field investigation was carried out during post rainy season of 2008–09 and 2009–10 to study the impact of date of sowing and irrigation regimes on castor seed yield, oil quality characteristics and fatty acid composition. Results inferred that sowing on 1st October (2.34tha−1) has significantly out yielded other three dates of sowing. With delay in sowing from October 1 to October 15, November 1 and November 15, seed yield of castor declined by 16.0, 16.7 and 31.0%, respectively. Sowing on 1st October was found to be superior in respect of water use efficiency (4.00kgha−1mm−1). Scheduling of irrigation at 50mm CPE (cumulative pan evaporation) resulted in higher seed yield of castor (2.13tha−1) as compared to 100mm CPE (1.78tha−1) but found at par with that of 75mm CPE (1.98tha−1). Higher water use efficiency was observed with dry regime (100mm CPE:3.54kgha−1mm−1 and 75mm CPE:4.04kgha−1mm−1) than wet regime (2.96kgha−1mm−1). Delayed sowing (November 1st–15th) was found to be promising with respect to oil quality characteristics and fatty acid composition. On the other hand, ricinoleic acid which is industrially the most important hydroxyl fatty acid was significantly higher under dry regime (100mm CPE: 88.2%) but was not influenced by date of sowing.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
