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Castor Seed
There are numerous varieties of castor seeds which not only differ in their appearance but also in the growth habits as well. The height of the plant can vary from 12 meters to 39 feet and is one of the fastest growing plants that you will come across. Nowadays, you will explore a wide range of castor seeds that have different colors. The primary use of castor seeds is for oil production because it contains around 40 to 60% of the oil. The seeds is also said to have a toxin known as ricin which is helpful in a number of ways.
The seed is named after the toxin it contains. Castor is a Latin word, also known as Palm of Christ. Its male flowers are usually yellow in color with creamy stamens while the female flowers have red stigmas. The fruit of the castor seed is either green or purplish and contains an oval shaped seed.
Castor Seed Production in India
Castor seeds are grown on a large scale in India. During the year 2012-13, the average production of the seeds was about 1043 kg per hectare which was quite low as compared to the previous years. In the recent times, there has been a sudden decrease in the production of the castor seeds. Though, there is a huge demand in the market but the production is not up to the mark. In India, there are lots of states where castor seeds are grown including Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh being the leading producers. Gujarat is one of the largest producers of castor seeds and helps in accomplishing the requirements of the people. Every year India produces around 8.5 tons of castor seeds and fulfills the demand of global market as well.
This plant is of commercial importance and around 87% of the international trade comes from it. Its oil is widely used and that is why, it is highly popular among the local people as well as the international customers as well. As it is a non edible crop, therefore, it can be grown easily and does not require any special conditions.
Methods of Growing Castor Seeds
Growing castor seeds are quite simple and that is why, India is the largest producers of this seed. The types of climatic conditions needed for its growth are ideal in India and so its production is very high. One of the most important requirements for growing these seeds is the tropical climate. The planting for castor seeds usually begin from July or August and are harvested around December or January. Once the seeds are harvested, they are brought into the market for sale and supplied to different countries as well. As it is a kharif crop, therefore monsoon is the right time when the castor plants can be sowed and harvested during the winters. Owing to the advancements in the agricultural field, different types of methods are used for cultivation so that the yield is high. Thus, India now produces a variety of castor seeds that are highly popular in the international market.
Castor Seeds Growing States in India & Best Season
India is one of the largest producers of castor seeds and accomplishes about 90% demand of the international market. Its seeds are not only used to extract the oil but also for preparing medicines. Owing to the numerous uses of castor seeds only, it is a popular plant of India. This plant is grown in three different Indian states namely Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. In Gujarat, castor seed is grown on a large scale with the sowing season being the monsoons while the harvesting season being winters. Most of the production comes from Gujarat followed by the other two states. In Rajasthan also the castor seeds are sown around July-August and harvested around December only. After Gujarat, Rajasthan accounts to the largest production of the castor seeds and helps in fulfilling the requirements of the international market. In Andhra Pradesh, the method of cultivation is quite different because the sowing period is somewhat around the month of May or June while the crop is harvested in September. Around 8 months are consumed to sow and harvest the crop so as to get a higher and better yield. As Andhra Pradesh receives insufficient rainfall, hence the growing cycle is different than the other states and this is the reason that the seeds are sown during the months of May. Apart from the above three states, other Indian states also contribute towards the production of the castor seeds. Some parts of the Maharashtra state is also said to grow the castor seeds but the average production is quite low and thus it is able to accomplish the domestic needs only.
Though every state follows a different pattern of cultivation but still the months of July and August are best for cultivation. It is the time when the monsoon season is in its full form and it becomes easy to sow the seeds as well. The farmers are now following newer methods of cultivation which are far better and help in fulfilling the demand of the local as well as the international market.
Uses of Castor Seeds
Castor seeds are usually employed in extracting the oil but there are other purposes as well which can be solved. Its oil can be used on your skin to overcome the dryness because it is rich in healthy nutrients. There are lots of cosmetic products which are made from the castor oil because it is good for the skin. The castor seeds are also used in the fashion jewelry which is very popular among the girls. Sometimes, the oil can be used as a lawn care product to keep away from moles. Hence, there are lots of uses of castor seeds.
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