Productivity of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) in the north of Sinaloa

Abstract

To determine the productivity of castor oil plant in Sinaloa, the influence of two sowing dates, water availability and two planting densities on the grain yield of four castor oil plant hybrids were evaluated, the trial was established at Valley of Fuerte Experimental Field. During the autumn-winter agricultural cycles with sowing date of December 10, 2015 and spring-summer 2015-2016 with sowing date of February 18, 2016. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used, the plot experimental was four furrows of 20 m long, with a separation of 0.80 m, equivalent to 64 m², two population densities were managed: 23 000 and 26 000 plants ha^-1, and two irrigation regimes per test. The statistical analysis indicated that hybrids 2B-5, Chinatan and HB-8, were higher in yield and without statistical differences, with days at maturity from 145 to 152, so they are considered normal cycle; the average height was 20 m, considered average. The cycle that most favors the development of the crop for HB-8 and 2B-5 is A-W with density of 23 000 plants ha^-1 and three irrigation of aid for spring-summer, four irrigation of aid is recommended, density of 23 000 plants ha^-1 and hybrids of better response were HB-8 and Chinatan with yields higher than 3 000 kg ha^-1.