Sowing depth

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of sowing depth and soaking on the growth of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.). The experiment was conducted between 10th of March to 17th of may, 2022 at the Department of Crop Science’s Experimental Farm Screen House, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. The Treatments involved three potting media (Top soil + Poultry manure 1:1, TS +PM2:1, TS + PM 1:2), three sowing depths (2,4,6 cm) and three soaking time (0, 12 and24 hr)laid out in a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The data were collected on plant height, stem girth,numbers of leaves and total area of leaves. Results obtained showed that the physical and chemical properties of the potting media varies. From the results obtained, the depth of sowing, soaking time and media used all had effect on the plant growth parameters as plant highest was recorded at (2.37cm) when TS + PM 2:1 was used with a soaking timeof 12 hours and a sowing depth of 2cm