CROP IMPROVEMENT

I. SEASON AND VARIETIES

DISTRICT/SEASON VARIETIES

A. Rainfed

1.Adipattam (Jun-July)

All districts Variety : TMV 5, TMV 6

Hybrid : TMVCH 1, YRCH 1

B. Irrigated

1.Vaigasi pattam (May - June)

All distiricts Hybrid : YRCH 1

2.Karthigaipattam (Nov - Dec)

All districts Hybrid : YRCH 1

3.Panguni pattam (March- Apr)

All districts Hybrid : YRCH 1

C. Gardenland (border)

1.Perennial

All districts Variety : CO 1

II. DESCRIPTION OF CASTOR VARIETIES

Hybrid Hybrid
Particulars CO 1 TMV 5 TMV 6
TMVCH 1 YRCH 1

Pureline
Derivative Derivativ
selection LRES 17 X DPC 9 X
Parentage of SA 2 X e of VP 1
from TMV 5 TMV 5
S 248/2 X RC 962
Anamalai

Duration
perennial 120 160 160 -170 150-160
(days)

Yield (kg/ha)

Rainfed
- 500 600
(mixed

crop)
Rainfed 2.5
850 950 1300 2000
(pure crop) kg/tree/year

Irrigated
- - - - 3000
(pure crop)

Oil content
57 50 51.9 51.7 49
(%)

Special features

Pinkish
Stem colour Rose Red Red Light red
green

Bloom (waxy
No bloom Triple Double Triple Triple
coat)

Spiny, non
Medium, Semi Spiny, non
Bold, sparse dehiscent,
Receme / lengthy, compact, dehiscent,
setting, non resistant
capsule spiny spiny resistant to
dehiscent to leaf
capsule capsule leaf hopper
hopper

Bund crop
and fit for Pure and Pure and
Pure and Pure and
Suitability raising in mixed mixed
mixed crop mixed crop
vacant crop crop
areas

Castor YRCH1

1. Preparation of the field

2. Application of Organic Manures

Spread 12.5 t/ha of FYM or compost evenly on the main field before
last ploughing and incorporate in to soil by working a country plough.
Apply 30 kg sulphur/ ha through gypsum at the time of last ploughing for
higher castor yield.

NOTE: Do not leave FYM or compost exposed to sunlight as nutrients will

3. SEED RATE

Adopt a seed rate of 10 kg/ha for varieties and 5 kg/ha for hybrid.

4. SPACING

Adopt the following spacing.

Rainfed Irrigated
situation situation

Varieti
es 90 cm x 60 cm 90 cm x 90 cm

Hybrid 120 cm x 90 150 cm x 120

In irrigated conditions, for clay soils wider spacing of 150 x 150 cm can
also be adopted. For TMV 5 short duration variety 60 x 30 cm may be
adopted.

5. APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS

Apply NPK fertilizers basally as per soil test recommendations as far as

Recommended NPK
kg/ ha

Rainfed conditions

Varieties 45 : 15 : 15 NPK kg / ha

Hybrids 60 : 30 : 30 NPK kg / ha

Irrigated condition

Varieties 60 : 30 : 30 NPK kg / ha
 Hybrids 90 : 45 : 45 NPK kg / ha

 In rainfed situations apply 100% P & 50% N&K basally & remaining
quantity may be applied in one or two top dressings based on the
soil moisture availability.

 In irrigated situations apply 100% P & 50% N&K as basal &

 Apply 12.5 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (if the soil available Zn is < 1.2 ppm) and
25 kg FeSO 4 ha-1 (if the soil available Fe is < 3.7 ppm for non
calcareous soil and < 6.3 ppm for calcareous soil )

6. PRE TREATMENT OF SEEDS

 Treat the seeds with Carbendazim @ 2 g/kg of seed.

 Soak the seeds in water for 20 hours.

 In rainfed situations, seed priming with 1% Kcl for 3 hours and

7. SOWING

 Sow the seeds adopting the recommended spacing.

 Place the seeds at depth 4 - 6 cm.

 Put one seed in each hole.

8. GAP FILLING

Gap fill on the 15th day of sowing and simultaneously thinning may be
done leaving one healthy plant.

9. WEED MANAGEMENT

Apply pre emergence herbicide Pendimethalin @ 3 lit/ha or Fluchloralin @

10. INTERCROPPING

Raise one row of castor for every six rows of groundnut. In the case of
late receipt of monsoon blackgram + castor at 6:1 ratio is recommended.
Or Intercropping of castor with Blackgram or Greengram in 1:2 ratio is
recommended for rainfed situation. Intercropping of castor with onion in
1:2 ratio by adopting 1.5 m x 1.0 m spacing is recommended for irrigated
situation.
11. HARVESTING THE CROP

Observe the crop considering the average duration of the variety.

 One or more capsules show sign of drying.

 Cut the matured racemes without damaging the secondaries.

 Dry the capsule in the sun without heaping it in the shade.

 Use castor sheller to separate the seeds or beat the dried capsule
with wooden planks, winnow and collect the seeds.

Crop Protection

 Pest of Castor

 Diseases of Castor

Post Harvest Technology