Dwarf hybrids of the bioenergy crop Ricinus communis suitable for mechanized harvesting reveal differences in morpho-physiological characteristics and seed metabolic profiles

Abstract

Ricinus communis, also known as castor bean or castor plant, is a crop that produces seeds containing non-edible oil used widely in the chemical industry and the bioenergy sector. Varieties or hybrids that are suitable for mechanized harvesting may diminish the production cost boosting large scale production of the crop in new areas. In this study, we describe extensively the morphological characteristics and the ex situ performance of four newly developed R. communis hybrids (H11, H12, H13, and H14) focusing on plant architecture in order to facilitate mechanized harvesting. In addition, hybrid germination rate at low and optimal temperature was evaluated aiming to determine a minimal temperature requirement for early spring sowing in temperate climates. Seed metabolic profiling using LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of more than 60 different primary and secondary metabolites, at varied levels in each hybrid, including amino acids, fatty acids, flavonols, flavones, flavanones, phenyl propanoids and catecholamines such as dopamine, many of which are reported for the first time in this species.

Genetic diversity analysis among 123 accessions of castor (Ricinus communis L.) using SSR marker and its association to agronomic traits

“…Total seed weight per plant was determined by weighing the seed from primary, secondary, and tertiary branches after air drying. Oil content was measured based on w/w (Merkouropoulos et al 2016).…”

Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals the Key Potential Biomarkers for Castor Meal-Induced Enteritis in Juvenile Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂)

“…Metabolomics has been effectively used to identify key potential metabolic biomarkers in the DI tissue of grouper after replacing FM with soybean meal ( 78 ). The application of LC-MS/MS analysis on four different types of castor bean revealed 60 key metabolites of high commercial value, which were all associated with primary and secondary metabolism, including fatty acids, amino acids, flavones, flavonol, flavanones, dopamine, and phenylpropanoids ( 93 ). Moreover, a recent report ( 94 ) identified R .…”

Effectiveness of Three Terminating Products on Reducing the Residual Moisture in Dwarf Castor Plants: A Preliminary Study of Direct Mechanical Harvesting in Central Greece

“…In fact, in CON treatment the vigorous plants and the presence of weeds within rows did not permit the harvesting operation. However, the weed management can also be performed mechanically without use of pesticides but this practice, probably, it is of low interest since it may trigger capsules' shattering [26]. Furthermore, spacing row in castor plant cultivation systems is generally set at 0.75 m which is neither enough for manual weed removal nor for rototiller use.…”