Morphological Variation of Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L.) on Peatland Area in Kepulauan Meranti Riau Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Castor (Ricinus communis L.) has been reported as source of raw material for various products, including biofuel, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. This plant is known as an adaptive plant which perform well-growth and development in unfertile soil. We observed that castor plants grow and develop in Kepulauan Meranti, Riau Province, Indonesia where peatland mostly dominates. Objective of the study was to evaluate genetic diversity of castor bean germplasm in Kepulauan Meranti grown in fired-peatland area based on morphological characters. Sampled plants were tagged and parts of plant were photographed and characterized. Some plant organs such as leaves and fruits were taken for more identification. We observed 12 castor accessions showing distinctive phenotypes. Morphological characters that varied among genotypes were plant architecture; stem anthocyanin; stem wax; stem color; adaxial leaf surface; fruit wax; form of racemic; main seed coloration; secondary coloration of seed; and type of secondary coloration of seed. All genotypes showed prickle existence on fruit surface. The result indicates that castor germplasm in Kepulauan Meranti serve diverse genetic variability. Further studies including assessment based on agronomic, biochemical and molecular approaches are still required for supporting castor breeding program to develop new cultivars particularly that adaptive to peat soil area.