Assessment of seed oil yield and characteristics of ten castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) Accessions in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Effect of supplemental Ca2+on NaCl-stressed castor plants (Ricinus communisL.)Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of supplemental Ca2+in salinised soil on germination and plant growth response of castor plant (Ricinus communisL. Var. Avani-31, Euphorbiaceae). NaCl amounting to 390 g was thoroughly mixed with soil of seven lots, of 100 kg each, to give electrical conductivity of 4.1 dS m-1. Further, Ca(NO3)2x 4H20 to the quantity of 97.5, 195, 292.5, 390, 487.5, and 585 g was separately mixed with soil of six lots to give 1:0.25, 1:0.50, 1:0.75, 1:1, 1:1.25, and 1:1.50 Na+/Ca2+ratios, respectively. The soil of the seventh lot contained only NaCl and its Na+/Ca2+ratio was 1:0. Soil without addition of NaCl and Ca (NO3)2x 4H20 served as control, with a 0:0 Na+/Ca2+ratio. Salinity significantly retarded seed germination and plant growth, but the deleterious effects of NaCl on seed germination were ameliorated and plant growth was restored with Ca2+supply at the critical level (1:0.25 Na+/Ca2+ratio) to salinised soil. Supply of Ca2+above the critical level further retarded seed germination and plant growth due to the increased soil salinity. Salt stress reduced N, P, K+and Ca2+content in plant tissues, but these nutrients were restored by addition of Ca2+at the critical level to saline soil. In contrast, Na+content in plant tissues significantly increased in response to salinity, but significantly decreased with increasing Ca2+supply to saline soil. The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of Ca2+supply on the plant growth ofRicinus communisgrown under saline conditions.

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A re-evaluation of castor (Ricinus communis L.) as a crop plant.

CAB Reviews Perspectives in Agriculture Veterinary Science Nutrition and Natural Resources ◽

10.1079/pavsnnr20149038 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (038) ◽

Author(s):

Kammili Anjani Kammili Anjani

Keyword(s):

Castor Oil ◽

Crop Production ◽

Seed Oil ◽

Ricinus Communis ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Oilseed Crop ◽

Ricinus Communis L ◽

Global Demand ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Returns On Investment

Abstract Castor (Ricinus communis L.) has been transformed from a wasteland colonizer to an important industrial oilseed crop. Its seed oil is one of the most sought-after vegetable oils because of its rich properties and variety of end-users. Castor is an ancient crop but its production now has been limited mainly to India, China and Brazil, for many reasons. Castor oil is a hot market commodity product. It has been recently recognized as an efficient feedstock for biodiesel production. Increasing demand world over for biofuel resources and many recently identified industrial uses of castor oil have escalated castor oil demand. Global demand for castor oil is rising constantly at 3-5% per annum. In the last decade, many countries have started making serious exploratory efforts at growing castor as there is a tremendous scope to establish castor as a supplementary crop production option to farmers and to provide significant returns on investment given high global demand for castor oil. In view of the increasing worldwide interest in castor oil, this review evaluates the global scenario of castor cultivation, exports and imports of castor oil, new interests in castor oil and genetic improvement in productivity. In addition, the current research challenges and priorities have been discussed in the review.

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