Growth and yield performance of Gujarat-bred castor genotypes under Assam condition

A field study was conducted at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to evaluate the growth and yield performance of Gujarat-bred castor ( Ricinus communis L.) genotypes under Assam condition during 2023–24. The experiment consisted of seven castor genotypes viz., GCH 04, GCH 07, GCH 08, GCH 09, GCH 10, GNCH 01 and NBR 01where NBR 01 is used as control. Significant differences were observed in growth and yield characters. The genotype, GCH 09 recorded higher plant height (41.88 cm; 101.42 cm), number of branches (10.50; 33.00) and leaves per plant (50.00; 74.34), leaf area (950.97 cm²; 1576.20 cm²), internode length (6.87 cm; 12.80 cm) and greater crop growth rates (CGR and RGR) followed by GCH 10 and GCH 07. Yield attributes such as raceme length and seeds per raceme were higher in GCH 09 which was also at par with other castor hybrids. Concurrently, GCH 09 produced higher seed (1,259.23 kg ha⁻¹) and oil yield (611.38 q ha⁻¹) succeeded by GCH 10 (1,177.78 kg ha⁻¹; 599.36 q ha⁻¹) and GCH 07 (1,144.45 kg ha⁻¹; 544.43 q ha⁻¹). The findings clearly demonstrated that all Gujarat-bred castor genotypes performed better under Assam condition with the genotypes GCH 09, GCH 10 and GCH 07 identified as the most promising hybrids based on their superior growth and yield performance.