Shelled (conventional method) and not shelled (free of mechanical damage from the shelling) castorbean seeds were stored under uncontrolled conditions at Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil, for periods up to 36 months. The progress of deterioration was evaluated by the standard germination tests at three-month intervals, and by the oil and free fatty acid content at 36 months. Shelled seeds deteriorated faster than those stored with the shells, mainly after the first year. Seeds of the Campinas cultivar, stored not shelled and shelled, presented, after 0, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, germination of respectively 83 and 82%, 82 and 80%, 79 and 69%, 65 and 23%, and 51 and 0%. Not shelled and shelled seeds of the Guarani cultivar exhibited seeds germination of respectively 85 and 82%, 81 and 75%, 76 and 62%, 68 and 13%, and 38 and 0%, after the same storage periods. After 36 months of storage, the free fatty acid contents for not shelled seeds of 'Campinas' and 'Guarani' cultivars were respectively, 1.6 and 3.2%, whereas for shelled seeds of the same cultivars, the contents were 63.0 and 64.8%, respectively.
deterioration; storage; seeds; castorbean; cultivars Campinas and Guarani