Yield and oil content of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) accessions grown with fertigation in a semiarid zone

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate seed, dry matter, and oil content yield in five accessions of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) in the Altiplano Potosino Zacatecano high plateau region of Mexico, grown with a fertigation system on a mixture of sand, tezontle, and compost, with three fertilization levels.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The following accessions showed an outstandingly favorable response to fertilization: ZACS2C1 (Orito Zac) which had the greater seed yield (735 g) and oil content (50.30 ± 5.23); and SLPS11C1 which had the greater weight per100 seeds (56.77 ±2.35) and dry matter (1600 g).
Results: The best fertilization level for the abovementioned accessions was obtained with the low nutrient solution,
Limitations/Implications of the study: while other accessions showed a variable and inverse response to the fertilization level.

Results/Conclusions: To make the most of the castor oil plant, oil or fodder accessions can be selected or both accessions can be sown under an intercropping system.