The castor bean crop in large areas has become possible with the recent introduction of short stature hybrids that allow the complete mecanization of agricultural practices, including the harvest. However, when hibrids are used, the information about agricultural practices to be employed, are still very poor, especially, with regard to management nitrogen fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen sources and doses in castor bean hybrids under no-till system in summer crop. The experiment was conducted for two crop years (2005/2006 and 2006/2007). The experiment design was a randomized blocks in 2x4 factorial design with four replications. The treatments comprised the combination of two nitrogen sources (ammonium sulfate and urea), with four doses of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 120kg ha-1 of N) surface applied 20 days after emergence, plus a control. The hybrid Savana was utilized. The nitrogen fertilization increased productivity of the castor bean under no-till system. The grain yield wasn't influenced by the nitrogen source utilized. The average rate calculated that allowed the maximum grain yield was 88kg ha-1 in the 2005/2006 crops and 100kg ha-1 in the 2006/2007 crops.
Ricinus communis L.; nitrogen fertilization; production systems
