Effect of planting arrangement on vegetative growth, yield components and yield of green castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Abstract

Plant spacing of castor (Ricinus communis L.) is very important to obtain optimum seed yield. This study was conducted to find out the effects of inter row and intra row spacing on different traits of green castor at the Kabotarabad Agriculture Research Station of Esfahan in the spring 2006, using a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and four replications. Main plots were three inter rows spacing (60, 80 and 100 cm) and sub plots were three intra rows spacing (30, 50 and 70 cm). The effect of inter row spacing on plant height, plant dry weight, stem diameter and plot yield was significant. The highest seed yield was obtained in 60 cm inter row spacing. The effect of intra row spacing was significant on plant dry weight, number of candle per plant, number of seeds per candle, number of seeds per plant and plot yield. The highest yield was obtained in 70 cm intra row spacing. The interaction between inter row and intra row spacing was not significant for any of the traits. The highest plot seed yield (1175 kg/ha) was obtained in 60 cm inter row and 70 cm intra row spacing.