Variation on castor seed quality and size by sowing time and floral order

Abstract

The definition of sowing time is important for agricultural crops because it presents direct relationship with performance of these plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate size and quality of castor seeds as function of sowing time and floral order, in the "EMBRAPA Clima Temperado" in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The materials were seeded in two times: the first in November (between days one and five) and the second in December (between days one and five). Each sowing time had 12 units in a block randomized design with three blocks and 72 parcels, considering four cultivars, two periods of sowing, three floral orders and three replications (4 x 2 x 3 x 3). The time of sowing and the floral order influenced the quality and size of castor beans. The period of sowing allowed the production of seeds of better quality of the cultivars IAC Al Guarana 2002 and BRS 188 Paraguay while the second was better for the IAC 80.