With the objective of evaluating production and physical characteristics of castor bean seeds affected by raceme and fruit position, a study was carried out under field conditions, in a Red Nitosol (Afisol), in Botucatu, São Paulo State. The cultivar AL Guarany 2002 was used. Its three first racemes were harvested and divided into three parts, which consisted of the treatments. Raceme length, number of leaves per raceme, fruit dimensions, fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit were determined to evaluate physical characteristics of the racemes and fruits; seed moisture content, size and weight of thousand seeds and seed production were determined to evaluate physical characteristics of the seeds. The treatments influenced physical characteristics of the racemes, fruits and seeds, besides the production of castor bean seeds; the number of fruits and the seed production were directly proportional, and smaller according to raceme development.
Ricinus communis L.; inflorescence position; oil crop; yield
