SELECTION FOR NON-BRANCHING IN CASTOR, RICINUS-COMMUNIS L

A 5-year selection programme was conducted to obtain an unbranched typ e of castor plant suitable for efficient mechanical harvesting. Each p opulation (S-n) consisted of several progenies obtained from the selfe d main raceme of unbranched plants selected in the previous generation (Sn-1). After self-fertilization of all individuals, selection was co nducted in the autumn: ar the end of the cycle, so as to have fully de veloped plants. Unbranched plants were counted in each generation. Com parisons between populations showed significant differences owing to i ncreased recovery of the selected phenotype over the generations. The final population could be useful as a source for the development of im proved cultivars in future breeding programmes.