Abstract

Ten accessions of Ricinus communis L. were grown in derived savannah agro-ecological zone for two cropping seasons under rain fed conditions. The work aimed at phenotypic characterization of R. communis for different qualitative and quantitative traits. The field characterization of the genotypes was done using randomized complete block design with three replications at the new site of Botanical garden, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The different genotypes were randomly assigned to each of the ten plots within a block. Data collected on morphological and flowering attributes was subjected to statistical analysis. The results on phenotypic traits showed variations in fruit texture and stem color. Seedling emergence across the accessions was uniform in both years. The number of branches appeared stable within genotypes in years showing non-significant genotype by year mean square values. The number of leaves showed a significant variation (p≤0.05) among genotypes in 2013. There was a significant difference in the effects of years on the number of capsule and seed weight.

Key words: Castor, Ricinus communis, phenotypic traits.