Castor Research Station, Junagadh

Castor Research Station                 
Junagadh Agricultural University                 
Junagadh- 362 001 (Gujarat)
INTRODUCTION :

     Castor belongs to the genus Ricinus, a member of the Euphorbiaceae, which contains a vast number of plants mostly native to the tropics. The genus Ricinus isconsidered to be monotypic and R. communis is the only species, which includes many polymorphic types. The cultivated types are dwarf annuals. Castor plants have well developedroot system with thick horizontal roots. Tap root looks like extension of the stembelow the soil. The stem is erect, circular in section, partially hollow, glabrous, and smooth with good branching. Stem is either red or green or with shades of both. The stem is markedby well-defined nodes from each of which a leaf is arises. The lower internodes are shorter and their length increases with height. Leaves are alternate, large, and palmate with 5-11lobes acuminate margins notched, serrate or indented. They are carried on long stoutpetioles. The inflorescence is borne terminally on the main and lateral branches. Flowersare large, in terminal sub panicled racemes, monoecious, apetalous, the upper portion ofthe raceme being occupied by the female flowers and the lower by male flowers The whole inflorescence may reach a length of 90 cm. The flowers are wind and insect pollinated and from 5 to 46 % natural pollination occurred. The fruit is round glaucous capsules with three projecting sides covered with tough spines or smooth, 3 loculed and three seeded. Seeds are albuminous, anatropous, broad, oval, compressed with a marked caruncle and longitudinal raphe. The testa is thin, brittle, varying in colour and mottling. Below the testa is thin legmen, covering a whitish oily endosperm containing the embryo.                 
     The Castor Research Station established at Junagadh of Gujarat state with the objectives to breed and develop high yielding, disease and pest resistant and better quality varieties of different oilseed crops like groundnut, castor, sesame, sunflower, soybean and mustard. Currently, the centre is actively engaged in groundnut and castor research works in the main areas like,                 
• Plant Breeding& Genetics - Crop improvement                 
• Agronomy- Crop production                 
• Plant Protection: (a) Agril. Entomology, (b) Plant Pathology                 
• Plant Physiology                 
     Junagadh Center has developed a world first Castor hybrid, GCH-3 (TSP-10R x J-1) during the year 1968.

RESEARCH IN CASTOR :

Mandates of research :                 
1. To evolve production technologies for newly developed and improved hybrid.                 
2. To screen and isolate diseases / pests resistant genotypes and incorporate the resistance in improved varieties.                 
3. To breed and develop genetically diverse male and female lines with good combining ability for yield and other agronomical attributes.                 
4. To disseminate information generated through research to farmers through front line demonstrations.                 
5. To develop varieties and hybrids of castor crop with high yield potential and early varieties and hybrids, better quality and disease and pest resistance.                 
6. To solve problems regarding castor production through radio, TV programmes, popular articles, hand outs, personal discussion, night discussion and by organizing farmers' day and week end training programmes etc.                 
Objectives :                 
1. To develop agro technology and plant protection measures for newly released castor hybrid/variety.                 
2. To develop varieties and hybrids of castor crop with high yield potential, early maturity better quality and disease and pest resistance.                 
3. To develop male and female line of castor crop with high yield potential, early maturity, better quality and disease and pest resistance.                 
4. To assess agronomic practices and plant protection measures for castor varieties / hybrids.                 
5. Farmers participatory research through on farm front line demonstrations of castor.

Research Activities :

I. Plant breeding                  
• Experimental works in State and AICRP trials of kharif seasons                 
• New crossing programme, Segregating materials and Maintenance of Inbred line                 
• Development and maintenance of pistillate lines                 
• Evaluation of hybrids/varieties in different trials                 
II. Agronomy                  
• Water, nutrient and weed management in groundnut and castor                 
• Intercropping studies on groundnut and castor                 
• Intercropping system of groundnut with castor, pearl millet, cotton and pigeon pea                 
III. Entomology                 
• Screening of groundnut entries / lines from PET, SSVT, LSVT, IVT and AVT for resistance to insect-pests in castor.                  
• Monitoring of insect pest in castor.                 
• Testing the bio-efficacy of certain insecticides and bio-pesticides in castor                 
IV. Plant Pathology                 
• Survey and Monitoring of various diseases of castor to find out the intensity and disease situation in Saurashtra region of Gujarat.                 
• Screening of Promising genotypes of against major diseases in castor.                 
• Integrated and eco-friendly management of major diseases in castor.                 
• Screening of castor trial entries for root rot resistance in sick plot.

INFORMATION OF UNIT HEAD : 
Name of Unit HeadDr. R. B. Madariya                 
Research Scientist (Castor)                 
Ph.D. (Genetics & Plant Breeding)
Office(0285) 2672080-90, PBX-325 (0285) 2670205
E-mailrsoilseed@jau.in
FACULTY INFORMATION :

RESEARCH STAFF :

No.NameDesignation& Email IDQualificationSpecialized subject
2Dr. J. B. BhutAssociate Research Scientist jignesh1315@jau.inPh.D.Entomology
3Dr. V. R. AkbariAssistant Research Scientist virenakabari@jau.inPh.D.Plant Breeding & Genetics
4Dr. U. M. VyasAssistant Research Scientist baazraz@jau.inPh.D.Plant pathology
5Dr. R. N. DakiAssistant Research Scientist rajudaki9@jau.inPh.D.Agronomy
TECHNICAL STAFF : 
Sr. No.NameDesignationQualificationRemarks
1Shri. M. V. VirjaAgriculture AssistantDiploma (Agri.)--
2Shri. U. J. ShekhdaAgriculture AssistantDiploma (Agri.)--
COURSES TEACH BY FACULTY (U.G./P.G) : 
No.Name of facultyDisciplineTitle of courseCredit
1Dr. U. M. VyasPl. PathologyPl. Path 515 Biological control of plant disease2+1
2Dr. U. M. Vyas & Dr. J. B. BhutPl. Pathology & EntomologySST 512: Seed Health Testing and Management1+1
3Dr. J. B. BhutEntomologyAg. Ento. 3.3: Pests of field crops & stored grain & their management2+1
4Dr. J. B. BhutEntomologyAgr. Ento 4.4: Pests of horticultural crops and their management2+1
5Dr. J. B. BhutEntomologySST.511: Seed entomology2+1
6Dr. V. R. AkabariGenetics and Plant BreedingGPB 511: Crop Breeding-I (Kharif Crop)2+1
RESEARCH PROJECTS & SCHEMES (ONGOING) : 
Sr. NoName of the SchemeBudget HeadType of SchemeFunding AgencyYear of Commencement
1.Project for Research in Oilseeds5008Non- PlanState1972
2.National Agricultural Research Project (NARP)7082/ANon- PlanState1987
3.Strengthening Research in Oilseeds12008PlanState1986
4.All India Coordinated Research Project on Castor2008/1CI.C.A.R. PlanI.C.A.R.1993
5.Strengthening Research in Castor12584PlanState2008
6.Front line demo. (FLD)-Castor2704-23AICRPAICRP1988
FARM DETAILS : 
(a) Name of the Agro-climatic Zone:South Saurashtra Agro-climatic zone-VI
(b) Rainfall:The annual rainfall of this region for the last 40 years is 813 mm
(c) Soil:Medium black calcareous type with average depth of 30 cm
(d) Temperature:1. Annual Average - Minimum : 20.00C 2. Annual Average - Maximum : 34.30C
(e) Geographical Details:Climate : Subtropical            
Latitude: 21'5 N            
Longitude : 70'5 E            
MSL : 61 m            
Temperature varies : 8 0C to 44 0C
(f) Soil properties :- 
Type:Medium Black Calcareous type
pH:7.9
Organic Carbon:0.33 %
Available N2:181 kg/ha
Available P2O5:38 kg/ha
Available K2O:345 kg/ha
LABORATORIES : 
No.Name of instrumentsQty.Utility
1NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance)01For measurement of oil content in different crop
2BOD incubator01For incubation, isolation of different fungi and bacteria
3Hot air oven01
4Autoclave (vertical)01
5Laminar air flow 
MAJOR ACHIEVMENTS :

Varieties/Hybrids released : 

Improved Varieties/ Hybrids Developed by Gujarat
VarietyParentageYear of releaseOil Content (%)Yield (kg/ha)Important characters
GAUC-1VI-1 x VI-9197347.502100Suitable for irrigated and rainfed region
GC-3(JP-65 x JI-8) x 48.1200749.602340Wilt and root rot resistant
Hybrids
GCH-3TSP-10R x J-11969-1543Shattering habit
GCH-2VP-1 x II-35198547.801500-1700Drought tolerant and resistant to root rot
GCH-6JP-65 x JI-96199849.902349Resistant to wilt and tolerant to root rot
GCH 9SKP-84 x PCS-124201748.303781Higher yield potential and resistant to wilt and root rot disease
PRODUCTION OF CASTOR PARENTAL SEED PRODUCTION (Kg.) : 
Varieties/Hybrid2018-192019-20202020-212021-222022-232023-24Total
PCH 124 (Male parent)70292----310160832
RECOMMENDATION :

CROP PRODUCTION : 

1The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing irrigated castor are advised to apply PSB in soil @ 2.0 li./ha or Bio-phos 30g/50g seed alongwith recommended dose of recommended dose of fertilizers (120-40-50 kg NP2O5K2O/ha) for obtaining higher seed yield and net return.
2The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing irrigated castor during kharif season are advised to keep the crop weed free through interculturing and hand weeding at 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 and 150 DAS. Those interested in chemical weed control are advised to apply Pendimethalin 30% EC (pre-emergence) @ 1 kg a.i./ha (67 ml/10 liter of water) + Quizalofop ethy1 5% EC (post ? émergence at 25 DAS) @ 0.05 kg a.i./ha (20 ml/10 liter of water) + IC fb HW at 60 DAS for effective weed management as well as to obtain higher seed yield and net returns.
3The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing irrigated castor during kharif season are recommended to adopt plant geometry of 120 cm x 60 cm or 150 cm x 60 cm and irrigate the crop with drip irrigation and apply RDN 30 kg/ha (25%) as a soil application (15 kg/ha as basal and 15 kg/ha at 30 DAS), remaining 90 kg/ha (75%) RDN through drip in form of urea in five equal splits at an interval of 12 days (starting after cessation of monsoon) along with recommended dose of phosphorus and potash (50-50 kg P2O5 and K2O/ha) as basal for obtaining higher castor seed yield and net return.

CROP PROTECTION :       
ENTOMOLOGY : 

1The farmers of South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing castor are advised to apply two sprays of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 0.006% (3.0 ml/10 l of water) or indoxacarb 14.5 SC 0.0073% (5.0 ml/10 l of water) or spinosad 45 SC 0.009% (2.0 ml/10 l of water) or emamectin benzoate 5% WG 0.002% (4.0 g/10 l of water) at 15 days interval starting from pest infestation for effective and economical management of defoliators viz; Spodoptera and Semilooper.

PLANT PATHOLOGY : 

1The farmers of Gujarat growing castor are recommended to apply 5 kg Trichoderma harzianum 1 % WP (Min. 2 x 106 cfu/g) enriched before one week in 500 kg FYM/ha at the time of sowing for effective and economical management of root rot.
AWARDS/MEDALS RECEIVED : 
NoName of AwardGiven by which OrganizationYear
1Best AICRP castor research center awardICAR-Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad2009
2Best AICRP (Oilseeds) Centre for Castor crop(Based on QRT review the research work of five yea : 2017-2021)ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad2023
PUBLICATIONS : 
No.DetailNo. of publication
1Research paper published
a. International journal45
b. National journal80
2Popular article70
3Booklet published05
4Bulletins05
5Paper published in seminar/symposium/conference40
LIST OF PUBLICATION : 
1Virani H. B., Madariya R. B., Panera A. and Bhut N. M. (2019). Genetic analysis of yield and its biometric traits in castor (Ricinus communis L.). J. Pharmaco. Phytochem., 8(4): 2705-2708.
2Vekariya, P. V., Desai, A. G. and Kelaiya, D. S. (2020). Physiological variability of Macrophominaphaseolina (Tassi) Goid, isolates causing root rot of castor. International journal of chemical studies8(1): 3095-3100
3D. R. Gothaliya and R. B. Madariya (2019). Effect of mutagens on quantitative characters in M2 generation of castor (Ricinus communis L.). J. Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry, 8(2): 600-603.
4H. B. Virani, R. B. Madariya, A. Panera and N. M. Bhut (2019). Genetic analysis of yield and its biometric traits in castor (Ricinus communis L.). J. Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry, 8(4): 2705-2708.
5H. M. Movaliya, V. P. Chovatia, R. B. Madariya, H. R. Pipaliya, K. R. Khunt (2020). Gene effects for seed yield and oil content in castor (Ricinus communis L.). Inter. J. Bot. Studies, 5(6): 731-735.
6U. M. Vyas, Dr. LF Akbari, Tanuja Fartyal, Chandani Kukadiya and Shefali Karkar (2020). Compatibility study of fungal and bacterial bio control agents with agro chemicals. J. Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry, 9(5): 631-634.
7R. B. Madariya, M. S. Chaudhari and K. L. Dobariya (2020). Combining ability for seed yield and its component traits in castor (Ricinus communis L.). J. Oilseeds Res., 37(Sp): 12-13.
8I. R. Delvadiya1, R. B. Madariya and A.V. Ginoya (2021). Heterosis and inbreeding depression study in castor (Ricinus communis L.) using 21 generations. Biological Forum, 13(4): 26-32.
9I. R. Delvadiya1, R. B. Madariya, A.V. Ginoya and J. R. Patel (2021). Studies on the genetic basis of heterosis and inbreeding depression for seed yield and its component traits in castor (Ricinus communis L.). The Pharma Innovation J., 10(8): 1263-1267.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES :

FLD (Frontline Demonstrations) :  
     The government of India, while realizing the import dependency of the edible oils, established the technology mission on Oilseeds (TMO) in 1986 which adopted four pronged strategy for reaping production, processing and storage technologies for attaining self reliance in oilseeds. The series of farmer oriented policies through TMO made an impact on the vegetable oil production of the country to shift from a stagnation stage to swift growth stage. The Adhoc Project on “Frontline demonstrations in oilseed Crops” sponsored by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India was launched from Kharif, 1990-91. The above scheme amply provided opportunities to the researchers of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Oilseeds (AICORPO) actively in generation of location specific technologies for (1) demonstrating to farmers what they were advocating, (2) test their effect and viability, (3) obtain feed from the clients and (4) fine-tune the technologies to improve their acceptability and suitability to real farm situation. 

YearNo. of FLD allottedNo. of FLD conductedData sent to DOR reporting (Yes/No)
2017-185052Yes
2018-195052Yes
2019-205052Yes
2020-215050Yes
2021-225056Yes
2022-235053Yes
2023-245050Yes
2024-255048Yes
LAB TO LAND ACTIVITIES : 
No.Extension activities2018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-24Total
1No. of training programmes organized1121117
No. of participants453551354550261
2Kishan Mela43524220
3MGMG46424222
4Krishi Mahoshtav1021004
5TV/Radio talk1051532136