Castor Farming: Best Techniques For Higher Yield

Financial Calculations

• Total Crop Cost: ₹30,000 - ₹35,000 per acre
• Total Income: ₹70,000 - ₹80,000 per acre
• Net Profit: ₹40,000 - ₹45,000 per acre

Castor Crop Calendar

Month	Activity Details
July	Sowing and Initial Management: Do soil testing before sowing, plough the field 2-3 times. Select improved varieties and treat seeds before sowing. Sow seeds in rows, do initial irrigation, and manage weeds.
August - November	Crop Management: Continuously monitor the field, manage pests and diseases. Identify and control pests and diseases.
November - December	Harvesting and Storage: Harvest the crop based on maturity.

*Note: Choose the sowing month according to your state's climate and harvest based on crop maturity.

 

Varieties

1. RHC 1: Suitable for both irrigated and non-irrigated areas, contains 49% oil in seeds.
2. Kranti: Contains 50% oil in seeds, matures in 130-150 days.
3. Jwala: Thornless variety, contains 48.5% oil in seed, matures in 140-160 days.
4. Resim 7777: Matures in 160 days, resistant to root rot and wilt.

Cultivation Practices

Activity	Description
Soil	All types of soils are considered good for castor cultivation. The pH of the soil should be 6.0-7.0. Plough the field 2-3 times and mix well-decomposed farm yard manure before the last ploughing.
Climate	Dry and warm weather.  Temperature: 20-26°C.  Annual rainfall: 500-800 mm.
Sowing Time	Sowing should be done in July.
Seed Rate	Use 5 kg seeds per acre.
Seed Treatment	To protect the crop from fungal diseases, seed treatment is necessary. For chemical seed treatment, treat 1 kg seeds with 3 gm Thiram 75 WP or 3 gm Captan 50 WP. Dry the seeds in the shade after treatment.
Fertilizer Management	Use fertilizers based on soil test report.   In non-irrigated areas: 35 kg Urea and 50 kg Single Super Phosphate per acre.  In irrigated areas: 70 kg Urea and 100 kg Single Super Phosphate per acre.
Sowing	Maintain a distance of 30 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants. Sow seeds at a depth of 5 cm.
Water Management	The crop requires 3-4 irrigations. Irrigate based on soil moisture and local weather conditions.
Weed Management	Within 0-3 days of sowing use weedicide. Mix 1 liter Pendimethalin 30 EC in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
Thinning	Thin the seedlings to maintain optimal plant population and retain only healthy plants.
Harvesting	Do harvesting when the pods turn yellowish in colour. Do 2-3 pickings at an interval of 15 days as all the pods do not mature at the same time. Do not wait for the crop to mature completely as it may lead to scattering of seeds. Dry the harvested crop for 4-5 days in the sun. After drying, do threshing.
Yield	Yield varies based on variety, soil quality, and rainfall. The average castor yield is 20-25 quintals per acre.

 

Pest Management

1. Hairy Caterpillar
• Symptoms: Cuts on the leaves.
• Control: Mix 60 ml Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC or 100-120 gm Flubendiamide 20 WG or 160-200 ml Indoxacarb 14.5 SC or 60 ml Spinosad 45 SC in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
2. Castor spiny caterpillar
• Symptoms: Leaves appear cut and have holes.
• Control: Mix 60 ml Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC or 100-120 gm Flubendiamide 20 WG or 160-200 ml Indoxacarb 14.5 SC or 60 ml Spinosad 45 SC in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
3. Whitefly
• Symptoms: Leaves curl and shrink, turn yellow.
• Control: Mix 40-80 gm Acetamiprid 20 SP or 80-100 ml Imidacloprid 17.8 SL in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
4. Thrips
• Symptoms: Downward curling and yellowing of the leaves, sooty mold on the leaves, drying of the plants.
• Control: Mix 40-80 gm Acetamiprid 20 SP or 80-100 ml Imidacloprid 17.8 SL in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.

Disease Management

1. Wilt
• Symptoms: Rotting of the roots, wilting of the plants.
• Control: Always use treated seeds or seeds treated with 2 gm Carbendazim 50 WP per kg of seed.
2. Powdery Mildew
• Symptoms: White powder on the underside of leaves,drying of the leaves.
• Control: Mix 1 ml Hexaconazole 5 SC in one liter of water and spray it.
3. Seedling Blight
• Symptoms: Circular green spots on new leaves, yellowish-brown spots on the leaves, damaged stem and decaying of the seedlings.
• Control: Mix 3 gm Copper Oxychloride 50 WP or 2 gm Metalaxyl 25 WP in one liter of water and perform soil drenching near the roots.
4. Alternaria Blight
• Symptoms: Brown spots on the leaves, stem, and pods,drying and premature falling of the leaves, wilting of the plant, pods become small, reduced oil content.
• Control: Treat per kg seed with 2 gm Carbendazim 50 WP. For control, mix 2.5 gm Mancozeb 75 WP in one liter of water and spray it.