Yield of castor planted at different row space.

Abstract

A trial was conducted in Quixeramobim, CE, Brazil, with seeds of the cultivar BRS 149 Nordestina aiming to evaluate the effects of row spacing on castor growth, yield and oil content. A randomized block design with four replications and four treatments (2; 2,5; 3, and 3.5 m) was adopted. Each plant was supplied with the same amount of fertilizer, regardless row spacing. Data on plant height, first bunch height, number of nodes up to the first bunch, stem diameter, plant yield, and seed oil content were measured. Row spacing narrowing did not influence plant height or number of nodes to the first bunch; however, the first bunch height was increased while stem diameter decreased. Plant yield measured in the 2 m-row space was 2,038.24 kg.ha-1, value 48% higher than the yield of 1,381.29 kg.ha-1 measured on the 3 m-row space, traditionally recommended. Seed oil content was not influenced.