Evaluation of Growth and Yield Performance of Castor Hybrids Under Southern Dry Region in Sri Lanka

Castor oil is considered as a highly important industrial due to its unique chemical structure and properties. Although it not yet commercially grown in Sri Lanka, there high potential of promoting castor cultivation marginal lands. Due growing interest among the private sector initiate commercial scale cultivation, an immediate necessity introduce promising varieties despite traditional are presently grown. With this objective two hybrids, namely; Jiaxiang No.6 (JX-6) Zibi No.5 (ZB5) were received from China field evaluation was carried out at Grain Legumes Oil Crops Research Development Center, Angunakolapelessa (GLORDC) during 2021/22 Maha season. The experiment layout Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates, where local cultivar used check variety. results revealed, plant height flowering significantly different (P=0.05) tested genotypes. Since having perennial growth habit, higher branching observed. number racemes per cultivar, while average raceme length fruits both hybrids. Additionally, hybrids had 100 seed weight ranging 20.82-23.1g. Hence, (P-0.05) yields has been revealed by hybrid Interestingly, showed severe disease susceptibility specially for fusarium wilt, which degree resistance. Considering yield performance, only Jx-6 selected cultivations.