BIOMASS AND PRODUCTION OF CASTOR BEAN BRS NORDESTINA

The castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) for being a nutrient-demanding species is sensitive to nutritional deficiency in any phase of your cycle for obtaining economic production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the amount of biomass and production of seeds of castor beans BRS Nordestina in relation to increasing level of N, P and K, in greenhouse. The research was carried out between February and June 2008, at UFCG, using the sandy loam soil substrate. A completely randomized design with three replications and 15 treatments originated from a baconian matrix was adopted. Reference doses were 40:90:60 kg ha-1 of N:P2O5:K2O, respectively. The root and shoot dry mass and the production of fruits and seeds were evaluated. An unbalanced fertilization affected the development and production of castor beans. Among the three nutrients, the application of increasing doses of nitrogen was the best benefit that promoted the development and production of seeds of the castor bean.