Yield Response of Castor (Ricinus communis L.) to NPK Fertilizers under Arid Climatic Conditions | Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research 2018

Malik Muhammad Yousaf Arid Zone Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC),Bahawalpur,Pakistan

Mumtaz Hussain Arid Zone Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC),Bahawalpur,Pakistan

Muhammad Jahangir Shah Arid Zone Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC),Bahawalpur,Pakistan

Bashir Ahmed Arid Zone Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC),Bahawalpur,Pakistan

Muhammad Zeshan Arid Zone Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC),Bahawalpur,Pakistan; National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology, National Agricultural Research Centre,Islamabad,Pakistan

Muhammad Mohsin Raza Arid Zone Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC),Bahawalpur,Pakistan

Kazim Ali National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology, National Agricultural Research Centre,Islamabad,Pakistan

This study was carried out to access the response of castor (Ricinus communis L. Var. DS-30) for varying level of Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium under arid climatic conditions of Bahawalpur on clay loam soil. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. Data on plant height, branches per plant, capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule and yield was taken into account at maturity and statistically analyzed. All yield contributing traits showed positive response with increase in fertilizer rate. Maximum yield was found at T6 (NPK @ 40:30:15) and T6 and T7 (NPK @ 40:30:30) showed parity for seed yield. Significant diference was not observed in increase in yield due to the addition of potassium but branches per plant showed substantial diference. Highly significant positive correlation was observed for yield and yield contributing traits.