GNCH-1
A recent Gujarat release bred specifically for resistance to Fusarium wilt and leafhopper, the two pressures that most often cut castor yield. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Castor
- Type
- Hybrid
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 200–220 days (staggered picking)
- Expected yield
- Around 2,545 kg/ha in trials, roughly 14% higher than GCH-7; 20–25 q/ha under good irrigated management
- Suitable soil
- Sandy / light soil
- Release
- Released 2017 by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release (CVRC), for irrigated cultivation in Gujarat
About this variety
GNCH-1 (Gujarat Navsari Castor Hybrid-1) is a directly-fetched-and-confirmed ICAR-published hybrid, developed at the Pulses and Castor Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, by crossing pistillate line SKP-84 with male line DCS-94. It was released in 2017 by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release (CVRC) for commercial cultivation under irrigated conditions in Gujarat. Over 18 trials across five years in south and middle Gujarat, it recorded 2,545 kg/ha seed yield — 13.8% higher than check hybrid GCH-7, 35.9% higher than DCH-519, and 31.0% higher than DCH-177 — closely matching this record's own yieldPotential field. The primary spike matures in 110-112 days at medium plant height (70-80 cm), is unusually long (64.8 cm) and bears more capsules (78.4) than typical checks, aiding easy harvest. Oil content is 47.0-48.0%. It combines wilt resistance (under 20% infection at national sick plots) with leafhopper resistance (hopper-burn grade 0-1 on a 0-4 scale), and performs well in late-kharif and rabi seasons and in paddy-based cropping systems.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- HarvestingPrimary spike matures in 110-112 days; plant height 70-80 cm, primary spike length 64.8 cm, capsules per primary spike 78.4 — all easing harvest, per the release paper
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
200–220 days (staggered picking)
Expected yield
Around 2,545 kg/ha in trials, roughly 14% higher than GCH-7; 20–25 q/ha under good irrigated management
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Wilt resistant — under 20% infection at national sick plots, per the release paper
- Leafhopper (jassid) resistant — hopper-burn grade 0-1 on a 0-4 scale, per the release paper
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- 13.8-35.9% higher yield than established check hybrids (GCH-7, DCH-519, DCH-177) across an 18-trial, 5-year evaluation
- Combines wilt and leafhopper resistance with a shorter 110-112 day primary-spike maturity and easy-harvest plant architecture
- Performs well beyond the main kharif season — suited to late-kharif, rabi and paddy-based cropping systems
Things to consider
- The release paper reports primary-spike maturity of 110-112 days, while this record's own duration field says 200-220 days (staggered picking) — these describe different things (first-spike maturity vs. total multi-picking crop duration common to castor) rather than a real conflict, but worth clarifying for a reader comparing the two figures
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Gujarat
Frequently asked questions
What is the parentage of GNCH-1 castor?
Pistillate line SKP-84 crossed with male line DCS-94, developed at the Pulses and Castor Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, per a directly-fetched ICAR release paper.
How much higher-yielding is GNCH-1 than older castor hybrids?
13.8% more than GCH-7, 35.9% more than DCH-519, and 31.0% more than DCH-177, across 18 trials over 5 years in south and middle Gujarat, per the release paper.
Is GNCH-1 resistant to wilt and leafhopper?
Yes — under 20% wilt infection at national sick plots and hopper-burn grade 0-1 (on a 0-4 scale) for leafhopper, per the release paper.
When was GNCH-1 released and for which zone?
Released in 2017 by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release (CVRC), for commercial cultivation under irrigated conditions in Gujarat.
How long does GNCH-1's primary spike take to mature?
110-112 days, per the release paper — this is spike maturity, distinct from this record's own 200-220 day total staggered-picking duration field for the full crop.
Sourced from: GNCH-1: a high yielding, wilt and leafhopper resistant castor hybrid suitable for Gujarat — Journal of Oilseeds Research (ICAR ePubs). editorial policy.