Castor bean yield and growth responses to organic and mineral fertilizer

Abstract

The objective of this work was to assess organic and mineral fertilization effects on growth and yield of castor bean (Ricinus communis), applying doses of manure, P, K and micronutrients on a chemically poor soil, under low water supply, in a randomized block design with three replications, and factorial arrangement of 3x2+4 (three manure doses, absence or presence of mineral fertilizer, plus four manure, mineral fertilizer and micronutrients combinations). Values for mean yield were: 163.7 kg ha-1, for treatment without any fertilization, and 596.9, 988.1 and 1,172.5 kg ha-1, for treatments with organic, mineral and organic + mineral, respectively. P is the most important nutrient for increasing yield and oil content. Low water supply limits mineralization and nutrients releasing from organic amendments.