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Castor hybrid GCH-7 Photo: EqualStock IN · Pexels License · source ↗

Castor hybrid GCH-7

GCH-7 is a wilt-resistant castor (Ricinus communis) hybrid developed by the Main Castor Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU), Gujarat, and notified for release through the AICRP-Castor network coordinated by ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad. It is one of the most widely planted castor hybrids in semi-arid India and has become a default choice for both irrigated castor in Gujarat-Rajasthan and rainfed castor in Telangana-Andhra Pradesh.

Key features

  • Breeder: SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat)
  • Released through: AICRP-Castor, ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad
  • Duration: 180-210 days
  • Yield: 3000-3500 kg/ha irrigated; 1500-2000 kg/ha rainfed
  • Oil content: ~48-50%
  • Resistance: resistant to fusarium wilt; tolerant to root rot and Botrytis grey rot
  • Plant type: medium tall, non-spiny, convergent spike

Cultivation zones

GCH-7 is recommended for both irrigated and rainfed castor tracts:

  • Irrigated: Gujarat (Banaskantha, Mehsana, Patan), Rajasthan (Jalore, Sirohi).
  • Rainfed: Telangana (Mahabubnagar, Vikarabad, Nagarkurnool), Andhra Pradesh (Anantapur, Kurnool, Prakasam), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.

ICAR-IIOR package: July sowing for rainfed crop with 90 x 45 cm spacing; basal NPK 40:40:20 and topdressing 40 kg N/ha at primary spike stage. Three primary spike pickings starting 100-110 days after sowing are standard, with subsequent pickings on secondary and tertiary spikes spread over 180-210 days.

Pests and diseases

GCH-7 carries field resistance to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini), which is the most damaging soil-borne disease of castor. It is still susceptible to defoliators such as the castor semilooper (Achaea janata), Spodoptera litura (tobacco caterpillar), castor hairy caterpillar (Pericallia ricini) and the castor capsule borer (Conogethes punctiferalis). Routine scouting and need-based sprays are required.

Usage and adoption

In 2019-20 castor occupied 9.70 lakh ha in India producing 19.50 lakh t at 2010 kg/ha; >95% of this area is under hybrids and GCH-7 is consistently one of the top three. In the rainfed Rayalaseema and southern Telangana belt, GCH-7 is bought as branded private hybrid seed sold through Gujarat-licensed seed companies under the IIOR / SDAU registration.

See also: Castor Crop, Castor Semilooper (Achaea janata), Sorghum / Jowar Crop, Sunflower Crop.

Sources

  1. GCH-7 castor hybrid - ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad. ICAR-IIOR.
  2. High Yielding Castor Hybrids - Vikaspedia. Vikaspedia / Govt. of India.