Castor Cultivation Research Articles

Nitrogen uptake, grain yield, and oil concentration of dwarf castor beans under nitrogen rates and inoculation of rhizobacteria in grasses-legumes rotation.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have been primarily studied for atmospheric nitrogen (N) fixation but they also have the capacity to improve nutrition and yield of crop plants. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effects of inoculation with PGPB in association with different N rates on N uptake, grain yield, and oil concentration of dwarf castor beans in succession to legumes and grasses in Ilha Solteira, Brazil. The treatments consisted of N rates (0 to 180 kg ha-1 of N) and inoculation with three plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasiliense, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, applied by leaf) and a control with no-inoculation. The grain and oil yields of castor beans were increased by 20 and 40% at a rate of 103 kg ha-1 of N in succession to grasses as compared to without N application. In addition, the grain yield of castor bean after legumes was increased by 28, 64, and 40% with estimated rates of 97, 113, and 92 kg ha-1 of N in combination with inoculations of A. brasilense, B. subtilis, and P. fluorescens as compared to without N application, respectively. Shoot, grain, and total N uptake were improved with foliar inoculation of A. brasilense, B. subtilis, and P. fluorescens at the N rates of 45, 90, and 135 kg ha-1, respectively. Topdressing of N at the rate of 103 kg ha-1 and foliar inoculation in succession to grasses and 180 kg ha-1 of N without the effect of foliar inoculation in succession to legumes are recommended for higher grain and oil yield of castor beans. Foliar inoculations with A. brasilense, B. subtilis, and P. fluorescens increased grain yield under reduced use of N fertilizer by 44, 37, and 49% in dwarf castor cultivation in succession to legumes, potentially contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Trends in Area, Production and Productivity of Castor in Telangana

Aims: To analyse the trends in area, production and productivity of castor in Telangana and major erstwhile districts of Telangana. The main purpose of the study is to understand the growth rate of castor in a region of Telangana, as India is the largest exporter of castor oil, which has multiple industrial applications. Methodology: The secondary data of the area, production and productivity of castor from 2001-02 to 2022-23 were collected from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) was used to analyse the time-series data of castor. CAGR was calculated for 3 periods -Period I (2001-02 to 2011-12), Period II (2012-13 to 2022-23), Overall Period (2001-23). Results: The results showed a decreasing trend in both castor area and production. But castor productivity observed a positive growth rate in Telangana and the major erstwhile castor-growing districts like Mahbubnagar and Medak. However, few districts like Rangareddy, Nalgonda, and Warangal showed negative trends in productivity during Period I. The study highlighted a decline in the castor area due to the incidence of diseases like Botrytis, shifting to other crops such as cotton and climate variability. Conclusion: The study indicated that the decline in the castor area is a major concern and this study will be useful in agricultural policy making to take appropriate actions to reverse the declining trends of castor cultivation in Telangana.

Impact of Treated Castor Leaves on Growth and Productivity of Eri Silkworms: A Bioassay Study

One of the most common foliar diseases in castor cultivation for ericulture is Cercospora leaf spot, caused by Cercospora ricinella Sacc. & Berl. which seriously damages leaves meant as food for eri silkworms. Deterioration in the quality or quantity of castor leaves primarily hampers the health of eri silkworm, which ultimately affects the economic parameters of the cocoons produced by them. A bioassay study was conducted during 2019-2021 at College of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, to check the effects of feeding castor leaves, treated with treatments found promising for eco-friendly management of Cercospora leaf spot of castor. Eight treatments with three replications were taken for the experiment which included a phytoextract of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) @ 5%, a bio agent (Trichoderma viride) @ 5% and a fungicide (Copper oxychloride) @ 0.2 % and their combinations, applied as foliar spray at 15 days interval after 30 days of transplanting. These treated leaves were fed as first feed to the 3rd instar silkworms after maintaining 25-30 days as safe period. Silkworms fed with castor leaves treated with T.viride + Tulsi extract showed the best results in overall health (ERR 91.66%, Fecundity 391, Shell ratio 13.44%) followed by worms fed with leaves treated with Tulsi extract + T. viride + COC (ERR 80.55%, Fecundity 370, Shell ratio 12.59%).

Optimizing crop nutrition in rainfed castor cultivation for higher productivity, energy efficiency, and reduced carbon footprint

Nutrition plays a key role in achieving higher crop productivity. Whereas, rainfed cropping greatly suffers due to imbalanced crop nutrition. Especially, crops like castor mostly face the utmost climatic and edaphic distress as it is predominantly cultured in poor soil of rainfed regions. Therefore, to know the performance of the rainfed castor to balanced nutrient management modules, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive Kharif seasons in 2020 and 2021. Crop responded favorably to the balanced nutrition. We observed substantial improvement in seed yield (44%), oil yield (49%), gross return (54%), and net return (133%) with the application of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 20 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 along with foliar spray of 2% water soluble complex fertilizer (WSCF) @ 40 days after sowing (DAS). + over soil application of RDF and 125 % RDF. Due to better crop response in terms of growth and yield, rainwater use efficiency (RWUE), partial factor productivity (PFP), and agronomic efficiency (AE) were also higher with RDF + 20 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 along with a foliar spray of 2% WSCF @ 40 DAS. Application of 125 % RDF showed enhanced energy consumption (11429 MJ ha−1). While RDF +20 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 along with a foliar spray of 2% WSCF @ 40 DAS showed 45% and 17% higher energy output compared to the RDF and 125% RDF. Due to higher energy output, the same treatment exhibited 55 and 21 % higher net energy gain over RDF and 125% RDF, respectively. As per as the carbon (C) footprint is concerned, RDF + 20 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 along with a foliar spray of 2% WSCF @ 40 DAS was observed to be slightly C expensive with 8 % higher carbon input due to higher rates of manpower and machinery utilized. However, it displayed higher C output (45%), net C gain (56%), C efficiency ratio (33%), C efficiency (37%), and C sustainability index (32%) indicating efficient C management over RDF. Overall, RDF +20 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 along with foliar spray of 2% WSCF @ 40 DAS appeared to be the productive, profitable, energy efficient, and even favorable in respect of C footprint than soil application of RDF or 125 % RDF.

Potential and promotion of Rabi castor cultivation throughdrip-fertigation in southern India

Raising castor during winter (rabi) season with assured drip-irrigation using hybrids is a new dimension with promise that provides greater stability and higher productivity and avoids many problems of kharif castor. It is prudent to expand castor during rabi with limited irrigations in southern India especially in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Tamil Nadu.

Resource-use management of castor (Ricinus communis L.) growers in Andhra Pradesh

A study was conducted to assess the resource-use management (RUM) behaviour of castor growers in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh with 120 randomly selected castor growers through a pre-standardized scale. It was found that the respondents with large size of land holdings had medium to high level of RUM behaviour, while respondents with small and medium size of land holdings had low to medium level. Overall, there was low to medium level of RUM behaviour as exhibited by the castor growers. The respondents had low to medium level of management towards land, cropping system, seed, soil-moisture and nutrients, while medium to high level of management towards weeds, pests, diseases and irrigation. Seed, soil-moisture and nutrient were the primary indicators contributed towards both productivity and profitability of castor cultivation. Strategies for efficient management of these indicators are to be popularized through need-based extension efforts to improve the productivity and profitability of castor under rainfed conditions of Andhra Pradesh.

Frontline demonstrations in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh : An impact analysis

Madhya Pradesh is one of the potential States for castor cultivation with highest productivity after Gujarat. Several technologies and crop management options have been developed by Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR) and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on castor centres, that can significantly increase the yield, but adoption of these technologies by farmers has been far less than anticipated. Realizing the importance of extending these technologies for improving the yields at farmers' level, frontline demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted to show the productivity potential and profitability of improved production and protection technologies by AICRP Castor Chhindwara centre, Madhya Pradesh. The present study assessed the impact of these FLDs in enhancing the yield of castor and the socio-economic factors contributing to the adoption of improved technology by farmers. The results indicated that the mean seed yield and the additional net returns were higher in FLD farmers plots compared to non-FLD farmers. Adoption of farmer was highly correlated with socio-economic characteristics such as knowledge level, farm size and training programmes attended. The major contributing factors for adoption of improved practices were knowledge level and exposure to demonstrations.

Seed-use behaviour of castor growers in Andhra Pradesh

The seed-use behaviour of castor growers in Andhra Pradesh was assessed through the response of 192 randomly selected castor growers in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh in 2010. In order to understand the productivity potentials and profitability of castor cultivars as vital information necessary for interpreting the seed-use behaviour, secondary data pertaining to frontline demonstrations (FLDs) in castor for the period from 1997-98 to 2008-09 was analysed. Similarly, to understand the operational cost of castor cultivation (` /ha) and output price of castor (` /q) in Andhra Pradesh as support information, secondary data of FLDs in castor for the period from 1994-95 to 2007-08 were analysed. These analyses revealed that all the castor growers purchase seeds every year. Better performance of the improved cultivars over the locals was the reason for annual seed-purchase behaviour exhibited by all respondents. Peer group, input dealers, extension personnel of State Department of Agriculture (SDA) and progressive farmers were the information source for seed-purchase. Yield, seed weight and extent of seed filling were the major criteria for choosing the improved castor cultivars. Input dealers and SDA were the major sources of seed purchase. The seed source was selected based on the accessibility of the source, timely availability of seeds, credibility of the source and adequacy of information about the improved cultivars. GCH-4 and Kranthi were the major castor cultivars used by the castor growers. Susceptibility of the improved cultivars to pest and diseases, lack of guarantee about the performance of the cultivars at the time of seed purchase, lack of awareness about the new cultivars and costliness of the seeds of improved cultivars were the major constraints perceived in use of purchased seeds. Implicative strategies were suggested, based on the results of the study to improve the seed-use behaviour of castor growers in Andhra Pradesh.

Identification and delineation of potential castor growing areas in different Agro-eco sub regions of India

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. Castor oil is having globalimportance specially in chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid.Castor also hastremendousfuture potential as an industrial oilseed crop because of its high seed oil content, unique fatty acid composition, potentially high oil yields, and ability to be grown under drought and saline conditions. Soils and prevailing climatic conditions across different Agro-Eco Sub Regions (AESR) of India were assessed and matched with crop requirement criteria to identify the potential castor growing areas. Potential castor growing areas comprise favourable soil depth (deep soils) with longer Length of Growing Period (LGP). Among the traditional castor growing areas, AESR 5.2, 7.3, 8.2 and 8.3 have potential to grow castor whereas in non-traditional castor growing areas, AESR6.3, 6.2, 13.1, 15.4 and 17.1 are most potential for expanding castor cultivation. Relative yield and spread index of castor indicated that most of the potential areasidentified in different AESRsfall in zone II and III, need special attention to increase productivity and area expansion programme. Site specific management strategies like selection of suitable variety matching with LGP and proper adoption of nutrient management will overcome the limitations observed in these zones.

Use of soil test kits in assessing soil fertility of castor growing soils of semi-arid tropics

Resource poor farmers use semi-arid tropic soils of southern India for castor cultivation. These soils are wellknown for their low soil fertility thus resulting in poor castor seed yield. Conventional soil tests of laboratory willtake more time. Based on these, fertiliser recommendations to the farmers is seldom delivered in time. Soil test kits (STKs) developed by Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad and Coromandal Fertilisers Ltd.,Secunderabad is quiet handy in determining the physico-chemical properties on the spot and advice fertiliserrecommendations to the farmers. In the present study, results obtained by using these STKs and conventionallaboratory testswere compared. The parameters viz., pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients (zinc, boron and iron) were in close agreement with that of laboratory tests. Thus, for a quick diagnosis of soil fertility status, STKs are highly useful and accordingly fertiliser recommendations can be given to farmers.

Advancements in Breeding Strategies for Enhancing Wilt and Root Rot Resistance in Castor (Ricinus communis L.): A Comprehensive Review

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an economically important oilseed crop cultivated worldwide for its versatile uses in various industries. However, the cultivation of castor is challenged by wilt and root rot diseases caused by fungal pathogens, leading to significant yield losses. Enhancing wilt and root rot resistance in castor is crucial for sustainable and productive cultivation. This review explores advancements in breeding strategies for enhancing resistance against these diseases through various approaches along with introduction to castor cultivation and the challenges posed by wilt and root rot diseases in castor. It emphasizes the importance of breeding for disease resistance and discusses the significance of genetic diversity in castor germplasm. Traditional breeding approaches including phenotypic selection, recurrent selection, hybridization, mutation breeding and polyploidy induction are examined for their effectiveness in introducing and accumulating resistance genes and traits. Biotechnological approaches such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), genetic transformation and RNA interference (RNAi) are highlighted as powerful tools for targeted selection and manipulation of specific genes associated with disease resistance. The utilization of physiological and biochemical approaches including understanding host-pathogen interactions, elicitor-induced defense responses and metabolic engineering are discussed for enhancing resistance mechanisms in castor. These advancements offer promising avenues for accelerating the development of wilt and root rot-resistant castor varieties.

A site suitability analysis for castor (Ricinus communis L.) production during Brazil's second harvest incorporating disease prediction

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an important industrial crop with a wide range of industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Brazil is among the largest castor-producing countries. Between 2004 and 2010, castor cultivation was stimulated with an emphasis towards biodiesel production. However, this was not enough to leverage the production of castor in Brazil, mainly due to the lack of structured trade and the competition with other cheaper raw materials for the production of biodiesel. Despite this failure, the species presents itself as an excellent alternative for crop rotation in the second crop among soybean, corn, beans, and cotton cultivation areas as the oil is highly valuable for other products. Moreover, it has drawn the attention of producers and researchers in Brazil for this potential rotation as it is considered a plant tolerant of water-deficiency and is highly susceptible to gray mold, a disease favored by high humidity in the final stages of the crop. For instance, its cultivation in the second crop in Cerrado regions, where rains occur in the early stages of the crop and cease when the plants reach the final stage of production, has been successful and shows great promise. The current study aimed to evaluate the suitability of environments throughout Brazil to grow castor, incorporating variables associated with the incidence of gray mold and confirm these findings based on existing castor trial data obtained from the literature. The site suitability analysis determined that 74.99 million hectares - 8.8% of Brazilian territory - are highly suitable for castor production during second harvest, mostly located in the Northeastern and Midwestern regions. These results are surprising since Brazil currently has around 7.8% (∼66.81 million hectares) of its territory occupied with agriculture (grains, fruits, vegetables, and perennial crops). The findings of this study provide a method to perform site suitability for crops using data associated with agronomic and disease characteristics, as is the case with gray mold that often results in significant losses in castor production. Also, this analysis provides evidence for the great potential of Brazil to increase castor production and meet the world demand for its oil through utilization of second-crop cultivation.

Cloning and Functional Verification of Endogenous U6 Promoters for the Establishment of Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-Based Genome Editing in Castor (Ricinus communis).

Castor (Ricinus communis) seeds are rich in a type of hydroxy fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, which is in high demand for the production of plant-based plastics, lubricants, and hydraulic oils. However, the high content of ricin, a toxic protein, in these seeds has restricted further expansion in the area of castor cultivation. Therefore, the development of ricin-free castor is needed. Genome editing technology, although successfully applied in several plant species, is still in the developing stages in castor and awaits the identification of an endogenous U6 promoter with robust function. Here, we searched for U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes in the castor genome. This led to the identification of six U6 snRNA genes. The promoters of these U6 snRNA genes were cloned, and their function was examined in castor cells using the particle delivery method. The results showed that a U6 promoter length of approximately 300 bp from the transcription start site was sufficient to activate gene expression. This study provides insights into the endogenous castor U6 promoter sequences and outlines a method for verifying the function of U6 promoters in plants using the particle delivery system.

Screening of Suitable Castor Cultivars for Ericulture in Tamil Nadu, India

Although castor cultivation is predominant in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and few other states in India, rearing of eri silkworm, which feeds on castor is not catching up in these non-traditional states. One of the probable reasons is the non-availability of studies indicating region-specific suitable castor cultivars for different eri silkworm races. Studies on castor cultivar preference for one such better-performing race, C2 yielding better shell weight (12-15 Kg/100 DFL) in the Tamil Nadu region is lacking. Eleven castor cultivars, including local accessions, varieties, and hybrids, have been raised in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replicates. The worms were reared using all the grown cultivars with five replications for each cultivar (treatment) with 20 worms/replication. All the economic parameters of eri silkworm were computed and compared. Local accessions such as Krishnagiri local and Tindivanam local, Perennial castor - YTP – 1, and Hybrids such as YRCH – 1 and DCH – 519 recorded significantly better larval, cocoon, and reproductive parameters. Least larval duration and highest matured larval weight were recorded in Krishnagiri local accession. Least values of all the economic parameters were noticed in Dharmapuri local. The reason might be due to the poor leaf quality impacted due to severe whitefly (Trialeyrodes ricini) and red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) attack.

Co-inoculation of native multi-trait plant growth promoting rhizobacteria promotes plant growth and suppresses Alternaria blight disease in castor (Ricinus communis L.)

BackgroundCastor (Ricinus communis L.) is cultivated for seed oil and to feed (leaves) Eri silkworm, Samia ricini (Donovan) Hutt. Alternaria blight affects castor cultivation resulting substantial yield loss (∼30%). Uses of synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals for disease management have serious concerns as the castor leaves are fed to eri silkworms for rearing. Application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for disease suppression and to enhance plant growth will be a healthier choice in castor cultivation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Alternaria blight disease suppression by native rhizobacteria isolated from wasteland castor and their ability on plant growth promotion. MethodologyWe isolated 50 bacterial antagonists from castor rhizosphere using the dilution plate method and evaluated their antagonistic activity against the castor blight pathogen, Alternaria ricini. Based on antimicrobial bioassay and plant growth promotion (PGP) traits (phosphate solubilization, ACC deaminase activities, production of IAA, GA3, HCN, NH3 and siderophore), salt and acid tolerance; we have chosen ten potential isolates and identified them through 16SrRNA gene sequencing and analysis. Disease suppression and plant growth studies were evaluated in pot experiments. Results and conclusionThree isolates namely, Enterobacter hormaechei (LRP-2), Bacillus mycoides (HF-1) and B. aryabhattai (UR-6) showed potential antagonistic activities and PGP traits which were selected for disease suppression and PGP studies. Application of PGPR consortia (LRP-2+HF-1) could suppress the plants from A. ricini infection in challenged inoculation. Mix inoculation of LRP-2 and UR-6 showed synergistic effect and enhanced plant growth in pot experiments. Combinations of E. hormaechei (LRP-2), B. mycoides (HF-1) and B. aryabhattai (UR-6) can be applied as bio-control and bio-fertilizer formulation to protect castor from Alternaria blight and also to enhance plant growth.

COSTS AND RETURNS OF CASTOR CULTIVATION: CATEGORICAL ANALYSIS OF FARMERS IN GUJARAT

India ranks first in terms of castor area under cultivation, production and productivity and dominates the international castor oil trade, seed and its derivatives Amongst the states of India, Gujarat ranks first in area under castor cultivation and the castor production of India. The present paper attempts to analyse the cost and returns pertaining to castor cultivation in Gujarat with special focus on various categories of farmers to understand that how lucrative is castor cultivation especially across various categories/size of (marginal, small, medium, large) farmers in Gujarat. It has been observed that there is a statistically significant difference in cost of castor cultivation between / across the categories of (marginal, small, medium and large) farmers. The cost (C2) of castor cultivation was estimated to be highest for medium farmer followed by large farmer, marginal farmer and small farmer. It has been found that there is a statistically significant difference in returns from castor cultivation between / across the categories of (marginal, small, medium and large) farmers. The per hectare gross income as well as net income was determined to be highest for medium farmers, followed by marginal farmers, large farmers and small farmers. It was perceived that cost of castor cultivation and returns from castor cultivation differed with the category/size of farmers.

CASTOR CULTIVATION IN GUJARAT: ANALYSIS OF COSTS AND RETURNS

India ranks first in terms of castor area under cultivation, production and productivity. Amongst the states of India, Gujarat is the leading castor growing state that shares more than 62% of the area under castor cultivation and 78% of the total castor production of the country. The present paper attempts to analyse the cost of castor cultivation and returns from castor cultivation in Gujarat. A micro level survey has been undertaken in major castor growing (Banaskantha, Mahesana and Kutch) districts of Gujarat to determine the cost of cultivation and returns from cultivation of castor in Gujarat. It has been noticed that there is a statistically significant difference in cost of cultivation between / across the Banaskantha, Kutch and Mahesana districts. The Cost-C2 for cultivation of castor was estimated to be highest in Kutch followed by Mahesana and Banaskantha. It has been perceived that there is a statistically significant difference in returns from castor cultivation between / across the Banaskantha, Kutch and Mahesana districts. The per hectare gross income as well as net income was determined to be highest in Kutch, followed by Mahesana and Banaskantha. It revealed that cost of cultivation of castor and returns from castor cultivation differed with the zone of districts.

TECHNOLOGICAL GAP IN RECOMMENDED CASTOR PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. In India, oilseed crops constitute the second largest agriculture produce next to food grains. Castor is an important cash crop for farmer as well as for country too as it fetches valuable foreign exchange by export of seeds, oil and derivatives to all over the world. The present study was conducted in Patan District of Gujarat State. Among the nine talukas of Patan district, only Patan, Saraswati and Harij this three talukas of Patan district were selected purposively for the reason having highest area under castor cultivation as compared to other talukas of the district. The multi-stage sampling (three stage) technique was used for selection of talukas, villages and respondents. Ex-post facto research design was used for this study. The study was conducted to know the technological gap of castor growers of Patan district. Technological gap has been defined as the proportion of gap in the adoption of castor production technology and it is expressed in percentage. In the present study technological gap was operationalized on the division in adoption of castor production technology by the castor growers and expressed in percentage. revealed that the high technological gap was observed in plant protection measures 75.40 per cent followed by seed treatment 71.00 per cent, weed control 68.75 per cent, FYM 64.00 per cent, crop rotation 58.35 per cent, chemical fertilizer 51.77 per cent, sowing time 45.10 per cent, spacing 40.67 per cent, seed rate 36.00 per cent, recommended variety 30.33 per cent, harvesting 27.85 per cent, interculturing 21.90 per cent and irrigation schedule 16.00 per cent, which were ranked as first to thirteen, respectively.

Enhanced production of hydroxy fatty acids in Arabidopsis seed through modification of multiple gene expression

BackgroundCastor (Ricinus communis L.) seeds contain unusual fatty acid, hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) used as a chemical feedstock for numerous industrial products. Castor cultivation is limited by the potent toxin ricin in its seeds and other poor agronomic traits, so it is advantageous to develop a suitable HFA-producing crop. Significant research efforts have been made to produce HFA in model Arabidopsis, but the level of HFA produced in transgenic Arabidopsis is much less than the level found in castor seeds which produce 90% HFA in seed oil.ResultsWe designed a transformation construct that allowed co-expression of five essential castor genes (named pCam5) involved in HFA biosynthesis, including an oleateDelta12-hydroxylase (FAH12), diacylglycerol (DAG) acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), phospholipid: DAG acyltransferase 1–2 (PDAT1-2), phosphatidylcholine (PC): DAG cholinephosphotransferase (PDCT) and Lyso-PC acyltransferase (LPCAT). Transgenic ArabidopsispCam5 lines produced HFA counting for 25% in seed oil. By knocking out ArabidopsisFatty acid elongase 1 (AtFAE1) in pCam5 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the resulted pCam5-atfae1 lines produced over 31% of HFA. Astonishingly, the pCam5-atfae1 line increased seed size, weight, and total oil per seed exceeding wild type by 40%. Seed germination, seedling growth and seed mucilage content of pCam5-atfae1 lines were not affected by the genetic modification.ConclusionsOur results provide not only insights for future research uncovering mechanisms of HFA synthesis in seed, but also metabolic engineering strategies for generating safe HFA-producing crops.

Growth, Productivity, Economics, and Water Use Efficiency of Rabi Castor (Ricinus communis) as Influenced by Drip Fertigation

A field experiment was conducted in shallow Alfisols at Hyderabad for three consecutive years to evaluate the performance of castor on yield, water use efficiency, and economics for rabi castor cultivation under different irrigation schedules. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised 100, 80, 60 percent of N and K applied through urea and K2SO4 through a drip in two schedules (0.6 and 0.8 Epan) compared with soil application of nutrients and flood irrigation. Significantly higher rabi castor seed yield (3,302 kg ha-1), oil yield (1479 kg ha-1), highest gross returns (1,25,489 ha-1), net returns (86,754 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.65) were realized when irrigations were scheduled by drip at 0.8 Epan along with the supply of the full amount of N & K through fertigation. However, the highest water-use efficiency (4.85 kg ha-1 mm-1) and water productivity (0.485 kg m-3) were registered when irrigations were scheduled by drip at 0.6 Epan +100% N & K through fertigation.