Karanja DOC

Castor meal is also variously called castor meal, castor residue, castor extract & de-oiled castor cake Castor meal – the residue obtained from castor cake by the solvent extraction process – is one of the most versatile natural manures. It is truly organic manure which enhances the fertility of the soil without causing any damage or decay. It is enriched with the three big elements vital and conducive to the proper growth of crops – Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. It also has traces of nutrients like Manganese, Zinc and Copper, thus making it a balanced fertilizer. Moreover, it helps to neutralize the detrimental effects of chemical fertilizers. Apart from their contribution to Nutrients, they have a number of benefits in agriculture, which none of the synthetic fertilizers or pesticides can offer. They bring in the wonderful molecules that nature has designed to help the plants flourish naturally. They provide slow and steady nourishment, stimulation, protection from soil nematodes and insects; improve yields, and quality of product like taste, flavor, amino acid composition etc.

The pressed cake obtained after the expression of castor bean. The solvent extracted cake, although rich in protein cannot be used as cattle fodder because of its toxicity. However, it can be used as a fertilizer. 

Castor meal can also be used in animal feed formulations after detoxification of castor cake Castor Cake is an excellent fertilizer because of high content of Nitrogen (4-4.5%), Phosphoric Acid (2.55%) and Potash (1%) and moisture retention. Castor meal is the prominent organic fertilizer can be used to as alternatives to chemical fertilizer because of high contents of nitrogen, phosphors and potassium. 

Organic fertilizer not only protects environmental and animal health, but also strives to improve it. Instead of relying on synthetic fertilizers, which can deplete soil of valuable nutrients and increase environmental cancer risk, organic fertilizer builds up soil using compost, crop rotation, and other natural tools. It also helps to keep our water supply clean. Plus, by prohibiting the use of petroleum-based fertilizers and absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, organic fertilizer helps to reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change. Soil health is the cornerstone of the organic fertilizer. The reason for this is simple: healthy soil makes for healthy plants from which healthy products can be made. 

Using organic fertilizer is one of the easiest ways to reduce our carbon footprint Because it relies on non-petroleum-based inputs to enrich soil, the top advantages of organic fertilizers is Slow Release of Nutrients, Long term Benefits to the Soil, Long term Benefits to the Environment, Cheap, Cost Effective and Safety. 

The protein content of castor seed meal varies from 21-48% depending upon the extent of decortications. It has an ideal amino acid profile with moderately high Cystine, mithionine, and isoleucine. But its ant nutritional substances, ricin, ricine and an allergen restrict its use in poultry feed, even at a very low level of inclusion. 

There is negative correlation between the contents of ricinine in castor seeds and oil content (r = -0.76). This content of ricinine in castor seed is determined by Agro climatic conditions.