Physico-chemical characteristics of some castorbean (Ricinus communis L.) varieties, hybrids and genotypes.

Seeds of thirty castorbean (Ricinus communis L.) varieties/hybrids/genotypes varied from 45.91 to 56.40% with a mean value of 51.00% in respect of seed oil content. Similar variability of 62.89 to 73.84% with a mean value of 68.14% was observed in respect of kernel oil content. Varieties, Aruna, Bhagya and Chandraprabha recorded higher seed oil content while Aruna, Chandraprabha and Balliachayan were identified to contain higher kernel oil content as compared to others. Maximum seed index of 48.23 g/100seeds was recorded in variety Tarai-4 while maximum kernel content of 73.06% was found in variety Aruna. Genotypes appeared to be superior than varieties and hybrids in respect of seed index, kernel content and seed oil content while varieties performed significantly better than the groups of genotypes and hybrids in respect of kernel oil content.