CASTOR

OILSEEDS DIVISION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS’ WELFARE
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS’ WELFARE
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
KRISHI BHAWAN, NEW DELHI
www.nmoop.gov.in
 BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Family : Euphorbiaceae

Common name : Arandi

Scientific name : Ricinus

communis

Origin : Ethiopia
 SEASON AND CLIMATE

Season : Usually kharif, but as a rabi crop in

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

Climate : Can withstand long dry spells, but

susceptible to water lodging

Temperature : Moderate temperature (200-260C)

with low humidity gives best yield
GLOBAL vs NATIONAL SCENARIO
• Globally castor is cultivated in more than 29
countries over an area of 14.48 lakh ha
during 2014-15 with a production of 19.48
lakh tonnes and productivity of 1346 kg/ha

• India has the largest area (11.48 lakh ha) and

highest productivity (1666 kg/ha) of Castor in
the world
 AREA, PRODUCTION AND YIELD OF
MAJOR CASTOR PRODUCING COUNTRIES
Sr. Country Area Production Yield
No. (lakh ha) (lakh tonnes) (kg/ha)
2012- 2013- 2014 2012- 2013- 2014- 2012- 2013- 2014-
13 14 -15 13 14 15 13 14 15
1 India 11.48 10.96 10.40 19.64 16.44 17.33 1711 1500 1666
2 China 1.20 0.57 0.46 1.10 0.50 0.40 917 877 870
3 Brazil 0.84 0.44 0.64 0.26 0.13 0.38 308 287 592
4 Paraguay 0.06 0.08 0.08 0.10 0.11 0.09 1667 1375 1125

5 Thailand 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 688 722 727
World 16.48 14.91 14.48 32.39 18.44 19.48 1358 1237 1346

Source: Oilseeds Statistics: A Compendium. 2015, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds

Research, Hyderabad
 NATIONAL SCENARIO

• Irrigated intensive cultivation with hybrids:

Gujarat and Rajasthan

• Rainfed cultivation coupled with low input

application and varieties: Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and
Odisha etc
AREA, PRODUCTION AND YIELD OF MAJOR
CASTOR GROWING STATES IN INDIA
State Area Production Yield
(lakh ha) (lakh tonnes) (kg/ha)

AP 0.97 0.60 593

Gujarat 6.81 46.86 1987
Karnataka 0.11 0.08 685

Maharashtra 0.15 0.04 301

Odisha 0.12 0.17 637

Rajasthan 2.03 2.97 1452
Telangana 0.50 0.24 471

All India 10.63 17.49 1644

POTENTIAL STATES AND DISTRICTS
Sr. State Districts Avg. area 2009-10 to
No. 2011-12 (`000 ha)
1 Gujarat Banaskantha 116.00
Kutch 87.00
Patan 75.57
Sabarkantha 67.30
Mehsana 66.03
Surendranagar 51.10
Ahmedabad 27.80
Gandhinagar 27.57
Vadodara 18.47
Rajkot 14.57
Kheda 13.53
POTENTIAL STATES AND DISTRICTS
(contd)
Sr. No. State Districts Avg. area 2009-10
to 2011-12
(`000 ha)

2 Rajasthan Jalore 80.93

Sirohi 38.40

Barmer 31.61

Jodhpur 28.69
POTENTIAL STATES AND DISTRICTS
(contd)
Sr. No. State Districts Avg. area 2011-12
to 2013-14
(`000 ha)
3 Telangana Mahboobnagar 78.26
Nalgonda 6.10

4 Andhra Kurnool 42.18

Pradesh
Ananthapuram 22.01

Prakasam 10.97
 NEW/ NON-TRADITIONAL AREAS
• Rabi season offers good scope for area expansion with
higher productivity and least problem of Botrytis.

• There are bright prospects for growing castor in non-

traditional areas like coastal regions where kharif
castor crop is not possible due to biotic (Botrytis) and
a-biotic (cyclone & water logging) stresses.

• Non-traditional areas/season also offer opportunity

for off-season seed production in isolation.
 CROPPING SYSTEMS
• Castor is raised either as a sole crop or mixed crop
with kharif cereals/millets (sorghum, finger millet,
pearl millet, maize), legumes (pigeonpea,
groundnut, green gram, black gram, cowpea and
horse gram) and sometimes with horticultural crops
like chillies, turmeric, ginger, broad bean and
cucumber

• Most popular inter-cropping, which are widely

adopted by the farmers include castor + pigeon pea,
castor + groundnut, castor + millets and castor +
moth bean
 PREFERRED HYBRIDS VARIETIES
State Type Recommended varieties/hybrids
Andhra Varieties Jyothi, Kranti, Kiran, Haritha, 48-1(Jwala)
Pradesh
Hybrids GCH-4, DCH-32, DCH-177, PCH-1, DCH 519

Gujarat Varieties VI-9, GAUC-1, SKI-73 (GC 2), 48-1, GC-3

Hybrids GAUCH-1, GCH-2, GCH-4, GCH-5, GCH-6,

GCH-7, DCH-519

Karnataka Varieties RC-8, Jyothi, 48-1

Hybrids GCH-4, DCH-32, DCH-177, DCH-519

Maharashtra Varieties Jyothi, AKC-1, 48-1

Hybrids GCH-4, DCH-177, DCH-32, DCH-519

 PREFERRED HYBRIDS VARIETIES (contd)
State Type Recommended varieties/hybrids
Rajasthan Varieties Jyothi, 48-1
Hybrids GCH-4, GCH-5, DCH-32, RHC-1, DCH-
177, DCH-519

Tamil Nadu Varieties SA-2, TMV-5, TMV-6, Jyothi, Co-1, 48-1

Hybrids GCH-4, DCH-32, TMVCH-1, DCH-177,

DCH 519, YRCH-1

Uttar Pradesh Varieties T3, T4, 48-1, Kalpi-6, Chandra Prabha

Haryana & Punjab Varieties CH-1, Jyothi, 48-1

Hybrids GAUCH-1, GCH-2, GCH-4, GCH-5,
DCH-32, DCH-177, DCH-519
 YIELD GAP IN CASTOR
Irrigated Condition:
State Kharif-2013
SAY FLD Yield Gap (%)

Andhra Pradesh 648 1249 92.75

Gujarat 2054 3021 47.08

Rajasthan 1465 3666 150.24

Mean 1624 2436 50%

Source: NMOOP Frontline Demonstrations on Oilseeds 2013-14, ICAR-IIOR,
Hyderabad
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES
Seed Bed Preparation:
• Deep summer ploughing helps to break the hard
soil pan and facilitates easy root penetration apart
from controlling weeds, insect pests and diseases
Sowing:
• Castor is generally sown in line with country
plough or seed-cum-ferti drills
Seeding Time:
• Optimum seeding time for rainfed castor is
second fortnight of June. Under irrigated
condition sowing continued upto end of August
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)

Quality Seed:
• Purchase of hybrid seeds every year and
renewal of seed stock of improved varieties
once in 4-5 years
Spacing and Plant Population:
• Plant population of 18,500/ha and 14,000/ha
was found to be optimum for rainfed and
irrigated areas respectively with 5 kg seeds/ha
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
State-wise Recommended Spacing:
State / Region Situation Spacing (cm)
Andhra Pradesh
Normal Rainfed 90x60
Delayed Rainfed 60x30
Karnataka Rainfed 60x30
Irrigated 90x60
Tamil Nadu Rainfed 90x60
Maharashtra
Normal Rainfed 90x60
Delayed Rainfed 60x30/90x20
Gujarat
North-west Gujarat Rainfed 90x60
Irrigated 120x60
Saurashtra Rainfed 120x60
Rajasthan Irrigated 90x60
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
Seed Treatment:
• Seed treatment with Thiram or Captan @ 3g/kg
seed or Carbendazim 2 g/kg protects plants from
seed borne diseases like Alternaria leaf blight,
seedling blight and wilt
• Treating the seed with Trichoderma viride @ 10 g/kg
seed and soil application of 2.5 kg incubated in 125
kg FYM/ha help in managing wilt
• Soaking the seed with 1% sodium chloride
(common salt) for 3 hours before sowing imparts
tolerance to sodicity wherever the problem exists
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)

Fertilizer Application:
• Castor crop with an yield of 10 qtl./ha removes 40 kg N, 9 kg
P205 and 16 kg K20/ha under rainfed conditions
• Irrigated crop with a yield of 22.8 q/ha removes 84 kg N, 26
kg P205 and 31 kg K20/ha
• Application of 10-12 t FYM/ha helps in moisture retention
and provides nutrition to the crop
• Nitrogen is normally used in split doses under irrigated
condition and also under rainfed conditions subject to
receipt of rains
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
State-wise Fertilizer Recommendation:
State / Region Situation N P205 K 2O S
Andhra Pradesh Rainfed 60 40 30 -
Tamil Nadu Rainfed 30 15 15 -
Karnataka Irrigated 75 50 25 -
Rainfed 40 40 20 -
Maharashtra Rainfed 60 30 0 -
Rajasthan Irrigated 80 50 0 20
Gujarat North Irrigated 120 25 0 -
Rabi 80 50 0 -
Gujarat Saurashtra Irrigated 120 50 0 20
Region
Gujarat Other Rainfed 100 50 0 20
Regions
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)

Irrigation:
• All hybrids/varieties require 5-7 irrigations in
sandy loam soils of Gujarat and Rajasthan for
realizing the full productivity potentials

• Drip irrigation in hybrid castor saves 24%

water and offers 36% higher yield
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)

Weeding and Inter-culture:

• Two or three weeding at 15-20 days intervals

are required to keep weeds under check
• Alternatively pre-sowing application of
herbicides such as Fluchloralin or Trifluralin
@ 1.0 kg a.i./ha or pre-emergence application
of Alachlor @ 1.25 kg a.i./ha is equally
effective under irrigation
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
Crop Protection:
Insects Integrated Management
Red Hairy Caterpillar Set up light traps on community basis with the first monsoon
(Amsacta albistriga rains to attract the moths and kill them.
Wlk.) Sow cucumber along with castor.
Place the twigs of Ipomoea, Jatropha and Calotropis to attract
the migrating caterpillars and kill them mechanically.
Spray of Monocrotophos (0.05%) or Fenvalerate (0.02%) or
Quinalphos (0.05%).

Semilooper Hand picking of older larvae during early stages of crop

(Achoea janata L.) growth.
Manipulate parasitic activity by avoiding chemical spray,
when 1-2 larval parasites are observed on castor plant.
Spray of Monocrotophos (0.05%), Endosulfan (0.07%), if 4-5
semiloopers/plant are observed with more than 25%
defoliation.
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
Crop Protection:
Insects Integrated Management
Tobacco Caterpillar Collect and destroy egg masses and gregarious stages of the
(Spodoptera litura Fabr.) larvae along with damaged leaves.
Spray Chlorpyrifos (0.05%) or Monocrotophos (0.05%) if
defoliation is above 25%.
Capsule Borer Spray Monocrotophos (0.05%) or dust the spike with
(Dichocrosis punctiferalis) Quinalphos (1.5%) if more than 10% capsules are damaged.

Leaf Hopper Grow double/ triple bloom genotypes like GCH-4, DCS-9,
(Empoasca flavescens GCH-5, 48-1 etc.
Fabr.) Spray Monocrotophos (0.05%) or Dimethoate (0.05%). Repeat
spray, if required, after a fortnight.

Whitefly Spray Monocrotophos (0.05%) or Dimethoate (0.05%). Repeat

(Trialeurodes ricini Misra) spray, if required, after a fortnight.
Red Spider Mite Spray Dicofol (0.05%).
(Tetranychus telarius L.)
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
Crop Protection:
Diseases Integrated Management
Wilt (Fusarium Avoid continuous cultivation of castor and rotate with pearl
oxysporum) millet/finger millet or cereals. Avoid water logging.
Grow tolerant/resistant varieties like Jyoti, Jwala, Harita, GCH-4,
DCH-32, GCH-5, DCH-177, 48-1 and DCH-519.
Intercropping castor + pigeonpea 1:1.
Treat the seed with Carbendazim 2 g/kg seed/Trichoderma viride 10
g/kg seed and soil application of 2.5 kg/ha incubated in 125 kg FYM.
Root rot/die back Burn and destroy crop debris. Follow crop rotation with cereal
(Macrophomina crops. Grow tolerant varieties like Jwala, and JHB-665.
phaseolina L.) Maintain sufficient soil moisture through soil moisture conservation
practices and irrigation at critical stages.
Treat the seed with Thiram @ 3g/kg or Carbendazim 2g/kg seed or
Trichoderma viride, 4 g/kg seed.
Grey rot Use of non spiny varieties (48-1). Adopt wider spacing and avoid
(Botrytis ricini) close spacing. Remove infected spikes/capsules and destroy. Provide
additional dose of 10 kg N/ha after cessation of rains/ cyclonic
storms. Spray Carbendazim (0.05%) or Thiophanate methyl (0.05%)
before onset of cyclonic weather based on weather forecast.
 PACKAGE AND PRACTICES (contd)
Harvesting and Threshing:
• The main spike becomes ready for harvest within 90-120
days after planting. Subsequent pickings can be taken up
at intervals of 30 days
• Physiological maturity in castor is attained when some of
the capsules in a spike turn brown in colour
• The matured spikes are cut and dried in sun for few days
for easy threshing
• Threshing is usually done by either beating the capsules
with sticks or alternatively by trampling with Bullocks or
Tractor wherever possible
• Power operated mechanical threshers are also available
for the purpose
 EXPORT OF CASTOR OIL & OIL
MEAL
Commodity 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
(lakh (Rs. in (lakh (Rs. in (lakh (Rs. in
tonnes) crores) tonnes) crores) tonnes) crores)

Castor oil and 5.28 3966.54 5.05 3995.47 5.06 4304.08

its fractions
Hydrogenated 0.37 328.52 0.38 356.40 0.40 393.65
castor oil
Oil cake and 4.08 224.02 6.02 351.86 5.20 366.95
meal
Others 0.30 30.13 0.019 43.67 0.06 16.54
Total 10.03 4549.21 11.47 4747.40 10.72 5081.22
 MARKET PRICE OF CASTOR SEED
State Market Market Price MSP*
(Rs./qtl)

Andhra Kurnool 3351.00 -

Pradesh

Gujarat Vijapur 3775.00 -

Kadi 3775.00 -

*Not available
USE OF PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS
Products / Uses
By-products
Green leaves As a feed for eri silk worm
Powdered leaves As repellants for aphids, mosquitoes, and
mites
Stem pulp Paper and straw boards
Castor lipase Laundering and dry cleaning formulations

Cotyledon of dry seed Nutritive food called Ogilli-isi or Awka

without testa
Castor oil Medicinal - laxative, purgative and
cathartic, prevent hair losses
Castor oil Industrial - lubricants, oleo-chemicals,
plastics, surfactants, cosmetics, urethanes,
coatings, etc.
 RESEARCHABLE ISSUES

• Intensive evaluation of germplasm for agro-

economic traits and resistance to wilt, Botrytis,
leaf hopper and capsule borer
• Development of bio-intensive integrated pest
management strategies for wilt, Botrytis and
capsule borer
• Development of transgenic for resistance to
Botrytis
• Value addition of raw castor oil for oleo-chemicals
 ISSUES / ACTIONABLE POINTS
 ICAR /SAUs may develop high yielding hybrids /
varieties with resistance to major diseases and
pests and wider adaptability

 Productivity level of Maharashtra, Telangana and

Andhra Pradesh is very low as compared to
national average for which the States may make
special efforts

 Value addition of Castor oil for improving export

potential
Thanks