Response of castor to varying planting distance for yield and yield components

On-farm testing was conducted at three villages under the jurisdiction of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dethali, Kheda, Gujarat to study the response of castor (Ricinus communis L) to planting distance (row distance) during kharif season. In all three distance treatments viz 180 x 150 cm, 150 x 75 cm and 150 x 100 cm were tried at three different locations with three replications. Planting distance treatments 150 x 75 cm and 150 x 100 cm had remarkable influence on plant population and plant height of castor. Planting distance 150 x 75 cm recorded considerably higher plant population at initial as well as at harvest stage and plant height at harvest over 150 x 100 cm and 180 x 150 cm planting distance. On the other hand wider spacing 180 x 150 cm significantly improved number of branches per plant (at harvest) and number of capsules per main spike. Castor sowing at planting distance 150 x 100 cm spacing recorded significantly higher seed yield (2134 kg/ha) than at 150 x 75 cm (2027 kg/ha) and 180 x 150 cm (1760 kg/ha). Thus the results indicated that castor (GCH-7) could be sown at planting distance of 150 x 75 cm under irrigated condition during kharif season.