Collection: CASTOR SEEDS

The scientific name of the Castor is Ricinus communis. The castor plant belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is native to tropical East Africa. The castor plant is primarily grown for its seeds, which are processed to produce castor oil. Castor is also known as Arandi, Erand, and Amudham in other Indian languages. Castor plays a crucial role in India's vegetable oil industry. This ancient oilseed crop has both industrial and medicinal value, making it important in several global sectors.

Castor oil is commonly used as a laxative to relieve constipation, although it should be used cautiously, as excessive intake can lead to diarrhoea. In countries like India and Pakistan, Amudham oil is also used to protect grains such as rice and wheat from spoiling. Arandi oil is widely used in the cosmetics industry, particularly in creams and moisturisers.

Castor oil is also a key ingredient in the production of various industrial products like lubricants, paints, and more. It is used as a lubricant in high-speed engines and aeroplanes. India, China, and Mozambique are some of the leading producers of Castor.

Climate for Castor Production

Castor crops grow well in warm climates. The Arandi crop is widely grown in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. The Ricinus crop grows best at temperatures between 20°C and 26°C, with low humidity throughout the growing season, ensuring high yields. Cooler temperatures can delay the germination of Arandi seeds, making the crop more susceptible to fungal diseases and pests, while extreme heat above 41°C can result in poor Castor seed formation.

For a successful harvest, the Amudham crop requires a frost-free growing period of 130 to 190 days, depending on the variety. Ideal rainfall for the Arandi crop ranges from 600 to 760 mm, with about 100 mm evenly distributed in the early growing months to support optimal growth and development.

Soil for Castor Farming

Castor crops can grow well in various soil types, but well-drained sandy loams are ideal for achieving the best yields. The Ricinus crop is highly sensitive to excessive moisture. While the Erand crop prefers slightly acidic soils with a pH range of 5 to 6.5, it can also grow in soils with a pH of up to 8.

Land Preparation for Sowing Castor Seeds

Castor is a hardy crop with a deep taproot system. To support this deep root growth and control weed growth, deep ploughing (up to 45 cm) is beneficial. Additionally, practising summer or offseason tillage, particularly before the monsoon rains, helps remove weeds and improve water infiltration, ensuring better moisture retention for the Amudham crop.

Castor Seeds and Propagation Material

Selection of a Castor Variety: Choose a castor variety based on climate, soil conditions, local market demand, and other relevant factors.

Procurement of Castor Seeds: For optimal results, it is essential to source high-quality castor seeds. At Desikheti, we offer a wide selection of premium castor seeds, which can be delivered directly to farmers.

Castor Seed Rate: The recommended seed rate for castor farming is generally around 2 kg of castor seeds per acre of land.

Castor Seed Treatment: Castor seeds sold by private companies are usually treated with chemicals. However, if the castor seeds are not pre-treated, treat them with Carbendazim at 2 g/kg of seed.

Time of Sowing Castor Seeds

The exact sowing time of castor seeds varies based on the region, season, etc. Generally, The sowing time of Amudham seeds based on the season is as follows:

• Kharif Season: It is best to sow Ricinus seeds around June 15th, when the monsoon season begins.
• Rabi Season: Sowing of Erand seeds is done between September and October.
• Summer season: January is the most suitable time for sowing Ricinus seeds.

Method of Sowing Castor Seeds

The method of sowing castor seeds varies based on region, season and other factors. Generally, Ricinus Seeds are sown in furrows, placed 10-12 cm beneath the soil surface, right behind the plough. In rainfed areas, the fertilised drill method of sowing Amudham seeds is followed. For irrigated conditions, Arandi seeds are often dibbed into the soil, either on a flatbed or at the base of the ridge.

The spacing also varies based on the region, season, and other factors. Generally, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a spacing of 90 x 60 cm is followed.  

Nutrient Management for Castor Farming

The exact fertiliser recommendations vary based on region, soil conditions, etc. The fertiliser requirements also vary depending on whether the crop is grown under rainfed or irrigated conditions. Generally, for rainfed areas, the recommended fertiliser dose is 40-60 kg of Nitrogen, 40 kg of Phosphorus, and 30 kg of Potassium per hectare. Under irrigated conditions, the fertiliser requirements are higher, with 80-100 kg of Nitrogen, 40 kg of Phosphorus, and 30 kg of Potassium per hectare. 

The entire quantity of Phosphorus and Potassium is applied as a basal dose. In the case of rainfed farming, Nitrogen is generally applied in three splits. 50% of Nitrogen is applied as basal dose,25% at 35-40 days after sowing Amudham seeds, and the remaining 25% at 65-75 days after sowing Arandi seeds.

In the case of irrigated farming, Nitrogen is generally applied in four splits. 30 % at sowing and the remaining 70% divided into three applications, each at 30-35 days after sowing castor seeds, 60-65 days after sowing Arandi seeds and finally at 90-95 days after sowing Ricinus seeds.

Irrigation Management for Castor Farming

Castor is a rainfed crop that can withstand drought. Generally, Amudham plants need 500-700 mm of water. The flowering and seed development stages are critical stages of moisture stress. It is generally advised to use heavy irrigation at longer intervals rather than frequent, lighter applications in the Ricinus crop. 

Since Arandi is sensitive to waterlogging, the furrow irrigation method is ideal, as it helps in draining excess water from the field. Generally, during the Rabi season, the first irrigation occurs 50 days after sowing Arandi seeds, with subsequent irrigations at 20 day intervals.

Weed Management for Castor Cultivation

Castor is particularly susceptible to weed competition in its early growth stages, as the plant starts slowly. This makes effective weed management essential in Castor crop. The first 45-50 days after sowing Castor seeds are the most critical for maintaining a weed-free environment. To minimise weeds, practices like summer ploughing and proper seedbed preparation should be carried out before sowing Ricinus seeds.

For rainfed Arandi crops, 2-3 intercultivations using a blade harrow, starting around 20 days after sowing Amudham seeds, along with manual weeding, are recommended. In irrigated fields, 2-3 hand weedings are done starting from 15 days after sowing Erand seeds, and weddings are done at 15-day intervals.

Pest and Disease Management in Castor Farming

Common Pests of Castor

Castor Semilooper (Achaea janata)

• The caterpillar starts by feeding on the Castor leaves.
• In severe cases, the caterpillar consumes almost the entire leaf, leaving just the midrib and veins of the Arandi plant.
• This causes significant defoliation of the Amudham plant.

Castor shoot and capsule borer(Conogethis punctiferalis)

• The larvae damage the Arandi plant shoots and capsules by boring into them.
• Other Symptoms of this infestation are the presence of frass in the affected Amudham plant shoots and webbed Seed capsules covered in excreta.

Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)

• In the early stages, caterpillars feed in groups, scraping the chlorophyll from the leaf lamina, which causes the Arandi leaves to appear papery and white.
• As the caterpillars mature, the feeding intensifies, creating irregular holes in the Amudham leaves, eventually leaving only the veins and petioles behind.
• During the Arandi plant flowering and boll formation stages, the caterpillars also feed on the internal parts of the bolls, causing irregular holes.

Common Diseases of Castor

Rust (Melampsora ricini)

• Small, orange-yellow pustules appear on the lower surface of the castor leaves. The corresponding areas on the upper surface of the leaf turn yellow.
• These pustules often form in concentric rings and may merge together. As the pustules coalesce, the leaves eventually dry out.

Blossom blight (Botrytis ricini)

• The disease affects several parts of the castor plant, including the leaves, stem, flowers, and capsules, but it is most prominent on the Amudham spikes.
• If the infection occurs during Arandi plant flowering, it leads to flower rot and interferes with seed filling.
• Initially, water-soaked lesions appear on the male flowers of the castor plant at the base of the spike.
• Infected Erand spikes become sterile and lack capsules, while any capsules that do develop will become infected. Infected Amudham capsules begin to rot and eventually fall off.
• Blue spots of various sizes appear on the side branches and laterals of the castor plant spike.
• Leaves in contact with the diseased spikes also show irregular light brown spots with distinct borders.
• The infection can spread to the castor plant seeds.

Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini)

• The disease usually appears in patches and can affect Erand plants at various stages of growth.
• In Castor seedlings, the cotyledonary leaves turn dull, wither, and eventually die.
• In Erand plant leaves, Necrosis starts at the leaf margins and spreads to the interveinal areas, eventually affecting the entire leaf.
• The lower leaves of the Arandi plant begin to droop and fall off, leaving only a few top leaves.
• Superficial cracks can be seen on the Amudham plant stem.
• When the Ricinus plant stem is split open, a brownish discolouration appears, along with prominent white cottony mycelial growth, especially in the pith region.
• As the disease progresses, the affected Amudham plants begin to look sickly. Over time, the Arandi plants die completely.

Harvesting Castor

Harvesting castor spikes at the right time is essential to minimise yield loss. On average, a castor plant produces 4-5 spikes in sequence over a period of 180-240 days. The castor plant typically reaches harvestable maturity about 100 days after sowing castor seeds, with subsequent harvests at 30-day intervals. The best time to harvest is when the capsules turn yellow and start to dry. Premature harvest should be avoided. After harvesting, Castor spikes are usually placed in heaps for about a week before being sun-dried for a couple of days. Threshing can be done by beating the Castor spikes with sticks, trampling them under cattle feet, or using tractors or power-operated threshers. Later, Castor seeds can be stored. 

Castor Yield

The average yield of castor is 10 to 12 quintals per acre. The yield can vary depending on the variety and other farm management practices.