Organic cultivation of Castors

              Today we will discuss about Castor.

It is cultivated as medicinal oil plants. It's oil used to make Soap, & medicines. It is used in Stomachache, digestion and for massage of children. It's bark is used as a manure. Castor plants can grow upto 10-12 feet and the plants are weak. This can be cultivated in any type of the soil. It is mostly cultivated in india and 2nd place is acquired by 

China.

                          Ploughing of land.

For the preparation of it's farm we should plough it before the onset of monsoon and with the help of simple plough. During harvesting, harvest the seeds just after the end of monsoon and at the time of Rabi it should be cultivated in September- October and for summer plants it should be harvested in the month of January and February.

                        Seed rate and distance.

Plant -plant distance and seed rate depends on the size of seeds. During monsoon plant - plant distance should be 90-60 cm. For the irrigated region the distance should be 120-60 cm. During monsoon if there is delay in the harvesting then keep a short distance only. Approximate 10-15kg/ heactare of seeds are required for it's cultivation.

                         Seeds treatment.

For better germination and to prevent it from disease we should use Thyrum at the rate of 3gm/kg of seeds or Carbodiazonium at the rate of 2gm/kg of seeds or with Trichoderma viride at the rate of 10gm/kg of seeds and at the rate of 125kg fertilizers to 25kg of seeds should be added.

                       Method of sowing.

Generally, it is harvested after ploughing using simple plough or by seed drill by taking care of moisture content of the soil. Before harvesting the seeds are moisture upto 24-48 hours.

                              Irrigation.

For it's cultivation rainwater is much enough for it but in the situation of low or no Rainfall we should irrigate the soil because it helps to enhance the production. Use drip irrigation for it to save upto 80% of the water.

                            Weeds control.

The plants get proper nutrition for this the weeds control is very important. In the region of high rainfall we should start tilling after 25days of harvesting and along with that the weeds should be removed manually. Weeds are mostly seen in the month from September- January, the weeds should be plucked off from the farm. For irrigated region we should use Fluchlorelin or Triflorelin at the rate of 1kg/heactare of land, before or after the germination we should alaclore at the rate of 1.25kg/ heactare to the soil.

                             Disease control.

1. Pyujerium ukhta.

   It makes the plant pale yellow by which plants look like infected and slowly the plants dried up and fall down. For it's prevention we should use disease resistant seeds and Carbondieginum should be added at the rate of 2gm/kg of seeds and make a solution of its by 2gm of Carbodiazonium in 1 liter water and soak the seeds in it.

2. Rottening of roots.

In this the plants shows the lack of water in them, uppermost roots start to rot and the barks of the roots are removed from it. For it's prevention we should eliminate the plants infected with T.Viride 4gm/kg of seeds be used to treat the plants with it.

3. Grey mold.

 At starting small blackish spots are seen on the flowers from which a yellow liquid flow which increases the risk of fungal infection by which crops is damage and turn black. For it's prevention there should be distance of 60-90 cm from one plant to other or Carbodiazonium 1gm/litre of water should be sprinkle over the plants or after monsoon sprinkle urea at the rate of 25kg/ heactare of land.

                         Cutting of crops.

After 90-120days of harvesting when the colour of capsule turn into brown then the crop should be cut. Dry it well in the sunlight and by the use cart we should separate the capsule from it's plants.

     

                             Production.

 Generally, 1-1.5 tons/ heactare of production is obtained.