Castor Crop Research Articles

Diversity in the population of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini causing castor wilt disease in India

A major constraint on castor crop productivity is wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini (For). In this study, morphological, pathogenic and molecular features of F. oxysporum f. sp. ricini isolates collected from different castor-growing agro-climatic zones of India were analyzed. Eighty-nine F. oxysporum f. sp. ricini isolates were obtained from wilt-infected root samples of castor plants from different states of India viz., Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Morphology assessment in terms of variability in radial growth, size of micro and macroconidia and number of septa, grouped the isolates into 5 clusters in biplot analysis. A genotype-by-isolates bi-plot analysis ranked genotypes for pathogen susceptibility, with JI-35 being closest to the ideal and most susceptible, and DCS-9, and Kranthi being less susceptible. In contrast, 48–1 and JI-258 showed resistance, while Haritha and VP-1 exhibited intermediate susceptibility levels. K-means cluster analysis found 5 groups for pathogenic variability studies of isolates. The six isolates viz., For-12-5 (61.8 %), For-12-10 (50.5 %), For-13-47 (51.4 %), For-113 (86.1 %), For-13-33 (77.9 %) and For-53 (62.2 %) recorded as highly virulent isolates against wilt disease which showed >50 % average wilt incidence mean value across cultivars. Out of 40 ISSR primers tested, 11 primers gave polymorphic bands and analysis of genetic variability among 36 F. oxysporum f. sp. ricini isolates showed polymorphism with PIC, heterogygosity index, effective multiplex ratio, Marker index, and Shannon Diversity Index which ranged (in %) between 0.22 and 0.69, 0.19–0.44, 11.09–27.9, 6.14–8.98, and 0.78–3.04 respectively. The dendrogram analysis revealed 53 % similarity among the isolates studied and these isolates grouped broadly into 6 clusters. Variability among isolates was significant in morphological, pathogenic and molecular characters of F. oxysporum f. sp. ricini.

Maximizing Marketing Efficiency: A Deep Dive Analysis into Castor crop in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, India

Castor is a vital industrial oilseed crop with a range of uses that have increased its global economic importance. The research study was conducted using primary data collected through personal interview using well-structured and pre-tested interview schedules with 125 castor farmers and 50 intermediaries were selected purposively random sampling method. The study revealed that marketing of castor, small farmers often sell to local traders due to transportation costs, while larger farmers transport directly to market for higher prices. Main markets for castor are Namakkal, Tiruchengode and Paramathi. The most efficient marketing channel for castor was found to be Producer, Village Trader and Processor i.e. Channel I followed by Producer, Wholesaler and Processor i.e. Channel II and subsequently, Producer and Processor i.e. Channel III. Major constraints identified include pests, labour shortages, monsoons failure, high input & labour costs and lack of market information. Fruitful suggestions to improve the marketing efficiency of agricultural commodities like castor, it is important to consider the benefits of value addition reaching farmers and customers. Dealing with insect pests is crucial, so farmers need access to resistant cultivars and pest management methods. Weather-based crop insurance can protect against production risks. The castor industry is hindered by a lack of infrastructure, so improvements in processing, value addition, grading, packaging, storage, and market infrastructure are necessary. Encouraging farmers to add value to castor could be a profitable strategy.

Bio-efficacy of Xanthium strumarium L. Essential Oil against Castor Semilooper, Achaea janata L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Background: Although use of synthetic insecticides causes excellent control of insect pests, it leads to adverse effects on non-target organisms as well as the environment. The present study determining the chemical composition and insecticidal activities of essential oil extracted from the leaves of rough cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium and its bioefficacy against the castor semilooper, Achaea janata shall show a new dimension in formulating an ecofriendly management strategy towards castor crop. Methods: Xanthium strumarium leaf essential oil was isolated through hydro-distillation method using Clevenger apparatus and the chemical composition was analysed using GC-MS. The ovicidal and insecticidal activity of the essential oil was determined by dipping and topical application methods, respectively. Larval feeding deterrence and growth inhibitory properties of the essential oil was evaluated through the diet incorporation method. Result: GC-MS analysis of the X. strumarium essential oil revealed the presence of 14 chemical compounds, of which the majority are the terpenes (94.48%). The LC50 values in terms of ovicidal and insecticidal activities were recorded to be 69.70 µL/mL and 0.30 µL/larvae, respectively. The fifty per cent larval feeding deterrence (DC50) and growth inhibitory properties (EC50) were recorded to be 1.88 µl/cm² and 213.94 µL/mL, respectively.

Performance Evaluation of Manual Seeder Machine for Precision Farming

Proper placement of seeds in the field is the most important operation to obtain an optimum yield of the crop. In India, about 75% of the landholders are small and have marginal land-holding capacity. Considering the limitations due to costly seed, the traditional method of manual dibbling, labor shortage, and small marginal land holding pattern there is a need for small manual planters for small and marginal landholders. Cotton, the white gold, is the king of textile, fibers and it is an important worldwide cash crop. The sowing of cotton is labor intensive as its planting requires 3-4 man-days/ha. Because of the above, the manual seeder was tested in the laboratory as well as in the field as per IS code: 6316-1993 with specific objectives. Laboratory analysis of manual seeder as seed rate (2.85 kg/ha and 2.88 kg/ha), seed damage (7.84% and 7.74%), and seed uniformity (62 cm and 64 cm) of cotton and castor crop respectively. Field analysis of manual seeder as coefficient of uniformity (91.63% and 93.23%), depth of seed placement (5.7 cm and 5.9 cm), speed of operation (1.82 km/h 1.84 km/h), theoretical field capacity (0.93 ha/h and 0.93 ha/h), effective field capacity (0.166 ha/h 0.171 ha/h), field efficiency (86.01% and 88.60%), draft (9.54 kgf and 10.46 kgf), energy consumption (10.93 MJ/ha and 10.04 MJ/ha) and cost of operation (440 Rs/ha and 445 Rs/ha) of cotton and castor crop respectively.

Effect of different legumes in castor relay cropping system

In the scenario of conventional farming system, limited chances are available to cope with sustainability and productivity issues at the same time. Relay cropping may play a crucial role in tackling this concern, by increasing the sustainability with minimum tillage, continuous soil cover along with increase in land productivity. Lot of studies already reflected the benefits to crops sown after legume crop, so more emphasis was given in this study to directly relate the research towards a best choice of legumes for relay cropping in castor crop. With these thoughts this research was framed to study different legume-castor relay cropping systems viz., greengram-castor, clusterbean (veg) - castor, blackgram-castor, cowpea-castor and sole castor (control). The results revealed that greengram-castor and blackgram-castor are the best identified relay cropping system for obtaining higher castor equivalent yield and monetary returns as per the three years of experimentation. However, the study also showed that legume-castor relay cropping gives more than two folds returns than sole castor.

Doubling of farmers income through front line demonstrations of castor in Ananthapuramu district

The cluster frontline and frontline demonstrations were implemented in castor crop during kharif 2021-22 by AICRP on Castor, Agricultural Research Station, Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the performance of ICH-66 and package of practices on production and productivity of castor. Total of 100 demonstrations were executed during kharif, 2021 under rainfed conditions in Ananthapuramu district covering 26 villages and 14 mandals on Castor with different crop management modules of castor. In the Ananthapuramu district all most all mandals received the excess rainfall during the season. The results indicated that with improved practice there is a significant improvement in the seed yield, gross, net returns and B:C ratio compared with farmer’s practice.

Impact of adoption of technologies in castor farming during kharif season inSouthern Telanagana Zone

Castor crop during kharif season is often caught by vagaries of monsoon like delay in onset of monsoon and prolonged dry spells or even failure of monsoon on the other hand the crop may also severely affected by botryotinia gray rot at flowering/capsule stage in the event of incessant rainfall coupled with high relative humidity. To overcome these problems researchers have developed high yielding hybrids like ICH-66 and PCH-111 in traditional castor growing areas of Telanagana state. In addition to the hybrids, adoption of improved technologies increased levels of productivity. The research and on-farm demonstrations carried out in Telanagana during Kharif, 2018 to 2020 proved that, whole package/improved technology demonstrations were resulted in increased seed yield up to 36% in intercropping of castor with pegionpea and 39% with whole practice as compared to farmers practice.

Assessment of spatial nutrient variability at farm level for castor crop (Ricinus communis l.) in semiarid region of Telangana state in India

Site Specific Nutrient Management is a system for maximum yields in field crops. Nutrient Management Zones were developed for castor crop (Ricinus communis L.) in Inceptisols. Grids of 15 x 15 m were made in one hectare and soil samples were collected from each grid and were analyzed for soil characteristics and all available nutrients. Based on analytical data the geo-statistical analysis, varoni maps and different models were developed. The castor yield data was compared in nutrient management zones with farmers practice (FP) and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). The variable rates of fertilizers used in SSNM was 92, 53, 15, 40 & 25 kg of N, P, K, S and Zn/ ha and 100, 40, 30 and 80, 40, 30 kg of N, P, K in farmers practice and RDF plots and the yields realized were 28 q/ha and 15 and 13 q/ha in SSNM, RDF and farmer’s practice treatments respectively.

Productivity potential and profitability of castor (Ricinus communis L.) with sprinkler irrigation

In Andhra Pradesh, Amrabad Mandal in Mahabubnagar district was inhabited predominantly by Chenchus. They depend on forest produce for their livelihood. The area under castor gradually came down in these villages due to erratic rains and inadequate irrigation. Farmers felt the need for an efficient water management system for castor. Castor crop was re-introduced in to these villages with sprinkler irrigation with Tribal Sub Plan. The productivity potential and profitability of castor increased with sprinkler system as compared to flood irrigation. The factors for ready adoption of sprinklers were delineated such as limited availability of water, controlling of irrigation depth increased crop yield and converting rainfed area to irrigated area. Adoption of sprinkler irrigation have changed the economic dependence on money lenders, improved the input use in castor and increased the gross monetary returns to the Chenchu farmers.

Water production function and optimal irrigation programme for drip irrigated castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Water shortage for crop production necessitates adequate knowledge of the crop water production function to make decisions on water allocation for optimum returns from castor crop under surface drip irrigation. The study was conducted in rabi 2009-10 at Agricultural college farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The different drip irrigation schedules at 40, 60 and 80 per cent pan evaporation replenishment levels either kept constant throughout the crop life or combinations at vegetative, flowering and development stages were compared with surface check basin at (0.8 IW/CPE ratio) irrigation. The results showed that drip irrigation at 0.6 Epan replenishment up to flowering and 0.8 Epan later on registered comparable seed yields with drip irrigation scheduled at either at 0.6 or 0.8 Epan and was significantly superior over other treatments and the best fit water production function was quadratic (R2= 0.99). The optimum quantity of water (ETc) for maximum net returns under prevailing prices (water and castor @ `10 and 30 ha/mm and kg/ha, respectively) was 381.4 ha mm with a resultant seed yield of 3611 kg/ha. The gross returns, net returns and net return/rupee invested varied from ` 72194 to 144447/ha, ` 36808 to 108018/ha and 1.040 to 3.049, respectively.

Time series analysis of castor crop for price forecasting in Gujarat: A comprehensive study

Time series analysis of castor crop for price forecasting in Gujarat: A comprehensive study

Performance of castor in heavy metal polluted soils under the treatment of various decontaminants

In order to find out the performance of castor under decontaminant treated heavy metal polluted soils, an experiment was conducted at Students Farm, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, during kharif 2016 to study the performance of castor in heavy metal polluted soil under the treatments of various decontaminants (various dosages of phosphorus as well as, quick lime). The dry matter before flowering, and stalk yield at harvest of castor varied from 429 to 516, 1460 to 1758 kg/ha, respectively. Among the different decontaminants highest dry matter yield and stalk yield (516 and 1758 kg/ha at before flowering and harvest) and seed yield (1720 kg/ha) was obtained in T5 (RDF+CaO @ 2 t/ha), which was significantly superior over all other treatments and on par with T4 (RDF+CaO @ 1 t/ha), and per cent increase over RDF was 20.41 and 23.56, respectively for stalk, and seed yield of castor. Decontamination treatments had reduced the mean Pb, Cd, Ni and Co contents of castor to 4.51, 0.65, 0.95 and 0.63 mg/kg, and increased mean uptake to 7.62, 1.17, 1.69 and1.09 g/ha respectively, for Pb, Cd, Ni and Co in seed at harvest. The Pb, Cd, Ni and Co contents of soil after harvest of the castor crop ranged from 17.11, 0.79, 1.89 and 1.22 mg/kg in the reference control and decreased to 14.60, 0.68, 1.67 and1.02 with RDF+CaO @ 2 t/ha treatment. The reduction in Pb, Cd, Ni and Co concentration in post-harvest soil was more due to Cao at different levels when compared to high phosphorus.

Handling heterogeneity within castor crop fields through “Individual Sample as Mean” training parameter approach

The high temporal resolution data has a great opportunity for specific crop mapping. The recent advancement in remote sensing data had a good impact on crop classification and mapping. In this research work, modified possibilistic c-means (MPCM) fuzzy machine learning approach has been applied for castor crop mapping, using sentinel 2A/2B satellite temporal images and local convolution as adaptive modified possibilistic local information c-means (ADMPLICM) algorithm was applied to remove isolated unwanted pixels. In training sample parameter “individual sample as mean” method was used to handle heterogeneity within the castor fields. The class-based sensor independent normalized difference vegetation index (CBSI-NDVI), normalized difference vegetation index (Red-NIR), and modified NDVI were produced, then separability analysis was conducted for the selecting optimum temporal date for castor crop mapping. The heterogeneity effect within the field was studied using variance parameters, and its values were observed low within the castor crop field. While considering the “individual sample as mean” training parameter approach on CBSI-NDVI, the variance of the target was decreased from 0.019 to 0.016. The identified castor field variance was close to the training field based on their high membership values and these fields had low mean membership difference (MMD) value. MMD values of castor training class with other crop classes were very high (0.425 – Isabgol, 0.502 – wheat, 0.259 – Fenugreek, 0.809 – Mustard, and 0.569 – Cumin), which indicates other crops were distinguished very well.

Soil and Plant Nutrient Dynamics in Castor-based Cropping Systems as Influenced by Conservation Agricultural Practices

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2021, at Narkhoda farm, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, to study the effect of conservation agricultural practices on soil and plant nutrient dynamics. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 replications on red sandy loam soil (Alfisols) under rainfed conditions. The treatments comprised of three tillage treatments in main plots viz., conventional tillage, reduced tillage, zero tillage and four cropping systems with residue incorporation in subplots viz., sole castor, castor + redgram (1:1), castor + greengram (1:3) and castor + groundnut (1:3). The results indicated that at harvest, highest soil organic carbon (SOC) content was found in reduced tillage (0.64%) followed by zero tillage (0.63%) and the lowest in conventional tillage (0.56%). Among inter cropping systems, SOC was recorded highest (0.67%) in castor + redgram (1:1) and lowest (0.55%) in sole castor treatment. The status of post-harvest soil available N, P, K (kg/ha) was recorded highest in reduced tillage (208.6, 54.03, 515.9 kg N, P, K /ha respectively) and lowest in conventional tillage (196.7, 38.57, 486.8 kg N, P, K /ha) while, zero tillage (203.6, 47.15, 506.7 kg N, P, K /ha) was at par with the reduced tillage. Among the cropping systems, castor + redgram (208.1, 60.12, 517.9 kg N, P, K /ha) recorded highest available N, P, K while lowest in sole castor (201.6, 38.60, 494.0 kg N, P, K /ha) treatment. Total N, P, K uptake (kg/ha) by castor crop at harvest was highest in conventional tillage (56.13, 19.99, 31.97 kg N, P, K /ha respectively) followed by reduced (49.24, 16.81, 26.28 kg N, P, K /ha) and the lowest (38.36, 13.15, 21.99 kg N, P, K /ha) was recorded in zero tillage. Among intercropping cropping systems N, P, K uptake by castor crop was recorded highest in sole castor (60.22, 18.66, 32.35 kg N, P, K /ha) treatment while lowest was recorded in castor + redgram (1:1) (26.65, 10.28, 15.93 kg N, P, K /ha). In general, the interaction effect between tillage and intercropping system were found non-significant.

Price Spread Analysis of Castor in Salem and Namakkal District

India is the world’s largest producer of castor oil, producing over 75% of the total world’s supply. Castor oil is unique owing to its exceptional diversity of applications. The oil and its derivatives are used in over 100 different applications in diverse industries such as paints, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paper, rubber and more. Castor oil is possibly the plant oil industry’s most underappreciated asset. This study is conducted in Salem and Namakkal district to find out the price spread among the marketing channels as well as the marketing efficiency of various marketing channels in the castor crop. Random sampling method was adopted for the study where the primary data has been collected from 100 castor farmers. Among the three marketing channels, the value chain III, namely Farmer – Processors (Oil Millers) - Retailers – Consumers was the most efficient value chain because it had the highest value chain efficiency 2.57 because it had fewer intermediaries than the other value chains.

Formation the productivity of castor plant depending on row spacing and standing density

Selection of plant species, their varieties or hybrids and the formation of their productivity is an urgent need today due to the shortage of biofuel production at the world level. The purpose of the research was to reveal the influence of technological measures (row spacing and density of plant standing) on the formation of elements of the crop structure of castor varieties. Research was conducted during 2020-2021in field conditions to study the influence of plant stand density and row width on the elements of the structure of the castor crop of Khortytska 3 and Olesia varieties in the educational and scientific laboratory "Demonstration Field of Agricultural Crops" of NUBiP of Ukraine. Following methods were used: theoretical (statistical processing) and practical (descriptive, comparative). The following indicators were evaluated: weight of 1000 seeds, number of fruits per plant, weight of seeds per plant. Results. Seed yield of castor variety Khortytska 3 was 1.27–1.46 t/ha with a maximum at a stand density of 50,000 plants/ha and a row width of 70 cm. Seed yield of castor cultivar Khortyts’ka 3 was 1.27–1.46 t/ha with a maximum at the option of standing density 50,000 plants/ha and a row space at 70 cm. Seed yield of cultivar Olesya was 1.34–1.42 t/ha with the selection of the two most productive options: first is row space 45 cm and 37.5 thousand plants/ha; alternative is row space 70 cm and standing density of 50 thousand plants/ha. Seed productivity of one plant can increase almost twice when the standing density is reduced from 50 to 25 thousand plants/ha, with the simultaneous formation of larger seeds. Thousand seeds weight of cultivar Khortyts’ka 3 ranged from 268 to 283 g and it was 294–316 g in cultivar Olesya, It was established that the correlation between seed yield and elements of yield structure is negative or absent at all, and positive with stand density. Research results indicate a high compensatory ability of castor cultivar Khortytska 3 and Olesya varieties in the formation of productivity elements under different stand densities and row widths in the conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. This makes it possible to carry out further research on the influence of sowing parameters in a wider range and to use the obtained results for growing castor in atypical soil and climatic conditions

RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOME TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS ON CASTOR (RICINUS COMMUNIS L.) YIELD UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE CENTER OF MOLDOVA

In the past, castor was grown in our country on large areas, but today there are few who have heard of this plant and far fewer who rely on the establishment of a castor crop in the field. The experience was placed at Society Agricola Moldoveni from Neamt County, and the preliminary results obtained are the object of study of the doctoral thesis. The average productions obtained in 2021 were directly influenced by the experienced technological factors. The highest seed production was made at the earliest variety, Teleorman sown in the second epoch at the distance of 70 cm between rows (1669 kg / ha). The correlation between the three studied factors (variety, epoch of sowing and distance between rows) and the yield obtained was directly and very close.

Population dynamics of insect pest and natural enemies of castor (Ricinus communis L.) under different intercrops

A field experiment was conducted at Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yethapur, Tamil Nadu during kharif 2015 and rabi 2016 to study the population dynamics ofinsect pests and natural enemies in different castor intercrops. The defoliators population was significantly lesser in castor + red gram+ pearl millet intercropped treatments than in the sole castor crop, which served as a control. The cumulative mean number of sucking pest population was found to be lesser in (castor + red gram), followed by castor + red gram + pearl millet intercrop system. Capsule borer percentage infestation is significantly lesser in castor + red gram + pearl millet intercropped treatments with increased percentage parasitization byMicropliti macullipennis and Apanteles angaleti.

Weed management with post-emergent herbicides in intercropped castor and common bean cultivation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the possibility of using herbicides registered for the cultivation of beans in castor crop when intercropped with beans and the influence of weeds in the crops. A randomized block design was used in a 2 x 4 + 1 factorial scheme with three replications. The herbicides chosen were: (A) fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen (125 + 125 g ai L-1) and (B) bentazon + imazamox (600 + 28 g ai L-1). They were applied in four different dosages (0.5; 1.0; 2.0 and 4.0 L ha-1) of the commercial product, plus a control as no weed management. The number of racemes per plant, number of berries per raceme, weight of one hundred grains and castor yield were evaluated. In the bean crop, the number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, weight of one hundred grains and grain yield were evaluated. Weed competition reduced crop yields by 65.5% for castor beans and 71.87% for beans when intercropped. The results suggest that intercropping of beans with castor is viable and weed management can be carried out with the herbicides evaluated in this study, respect to the doses. The herbicides demonstrate selectivity for BRS Paraguaçu castor crop, showing higher productivity at doses of 612.25 g ai ha-1 and 1506.4 g ai ha-1 of the herbicides fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen and bentazon + imazamox, respectively.

Waxy bloom on capsules is a major determinant of early infection by gray mold (Amphobotrys ricini(N.F. Buchw.) Hennebert) in castor (Ricinus communisL.)

AbstractGray mold is a major disease of castor caused by the pathogenAmphobotrys ricini. It mainly affects the inflorescence resulting in severe yield losses. Role of qualitative characters of inflorescence (spike) and capsuleviz. spike compactness, capsule type, waxy bloom intensity on capsules (visual), capsule spine length, spine texture and spine density in predisposing castor crop to gray mold was investigated. A set of 26 castor lines differing for presence and intensity of bloom was characterized for spike and capsule characters. The lines were screened in vitro (detached spike and capsule techniques) and in vivo by raising the plants in poly house and field conditions for disease reaction. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlation (rs = >0.5;p = <0.05) between disease severity and capsule type, capsule waxy bloom, spine texture, spine length. Principal component regression analysis revealed that waxy bloom intensity is the major factor, among the evaluated, that predisposes castor lines to the fungus infection promoting disease severity. Quantification of epicuticular wax from capsules of different waxy bloom lines revealed that there was an increase in severity of infection with increase in wax quantity on capsules irrespective of nature of bloom substantiating the role of waxy bloom quantity in promoting the infection. High quantities of wax (1.50–3.00 µg/mg) were extracted from lines showing high per cent disease severity (40%–95%), and low quantities of wax (0.00–1.50 µg/mg) were extracted from lines showing low per cent disease severity (1%–40%). A disease scoring scale considering differences in waxy bloom quantity as a biochemical marker has been proposed. It may not be a replacement to phenotypic screenings but helps breeders in selecting early generation material for low disease severity when huge populations are to be screened against gray mold by choosing low waxy bloom varieties.