GROWTH AND YIELD OF CASTOR BEAN (Ricinus communis L.) CV. ‘BRS ENERGIA’ UNDER DIFFERENT SPACINGS

The use of appropriate spacing when planting large crops is a technology that can be very easily applied, and that can result in a significant increase in yield. The aim of this work was to estimate the best spacing between rows in the Castor Bean cv. ‘BRS Energia’ (Ricinus communis L.), with a view to optimising maximum yield. The experiment was carried out on the Juá farm, in Itatuba, in the State of Paraíba, Brazil, in the 2015 agricultural year. The experimental design was of randomised blocks, with four replications and six treatments of different spacing between rows (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75 m). Values for plant height, stem diameter, number of racemes and yield were determined at the end of the crop cycle. Reducing the spacing promoted an increase in plant height. At the smallest spacing, plants reached heights of more than 2.0 m. At the larger spacings, the plants achieved greater stem diameter and number of racemes. The highest yield was obtained at the two smallest spacings, where yields of more than 2000 kg ha-1were achieved.