The objective of this work was to assess organic and mineral fertilization effects on growth and yield of castor bean (Ricinus communis), applying doses of manure, P, K and micronutrients on a chemically poor soil, under low water supply, in a randomized block design with three replications, and factorial arrangement of 3x2+4 (three manure doses, absence or presence of mineral fertilizer, plus four manure, mineral fertilizer and micronutrients combinations). Values for mean yield were: 163.7 kg ha-1, for treatment without any fertilization, and 596.9, 988.1 and 1,172.5 kg ha-1, for treatments with organic, mineral and organic + mineral, respectively. P is the most important nutrient for increasing yield and oil content. Low water supply limits mineralization and nutrients releasing from organic amendments.
Ricinus communis; nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium; micronutrients
