|
| |
Kenaf Notes
Performance of Kenaf Varieties in the San Joaquin Valley,
California
by
Mahendra S. Bhangoo, Charles G. Cook,
Timothy A. Jacobson and Abebe Gebrehiwet
CATI Publication #940802
© Copyright August 1994, all rights reserved
INTRODUCTION
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), an
annual fiber crop, has a good potential of becoming an excellent source of
fiber in the manufacturing of pulp, paper, and other products such as
poultry litter and cattle feed (Kugler, 1988; USDA, 1988, Perry, et al.,
1993). Kenaf is known to grow under different climatic conditions and on
different soil types, resulting in a wide range of yield (Dempsey, 1975).
Previous studies have shown that kenaf can successfully be grown in the San
Joaquin Valley, California (Bhangoo et al., 1991; Bhangoo and Cook, 1992;
Bhangoo and Cook, 1993; Bhangoo, Cook and Gaberhiwit, 1994). However, there
is a need for further evaluation of different varieties to ascertain their
production potential in this area.
The objective of this study was to evaluate
different kanaf varieties in the San Joaquin Valley of California for plant
height and stem and fiber yield. The study includes the data for three years
(1991-93). Two of the entries (SF459 and 7N) included in this study during
1993 were new selections. SF459 is a root-knot nematode tolerant selection
from a cultivar 45-9, while 7N, a simple leaf type, was developed by
breeding procedures at the USDA-ARS, Subtropical Agricultural Research
Laboratory, Weslaco, Texas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Kenaf was grown on a Hanford sandy loam soil
at the California State University, Fresno experimental farm, Fresno,
California for three years (1991-93). This study was conducted in a
randomized complete block design with four replications. Ten cultivars
included in this study were Tainung (T) 1 and 2; Everglades (E) 71, 41, and
45-9; Cuba 108 (C108); Cubano (CUB); 15-2 (152); RS-10 (RS10); and 117-2
(117). Two of the entries (SF459 and 7N) included in this study during 1993
were new selections. Seeds were planted on 30-inch rows during the first or
second week of May each year. Plots were sprinkle irrigated for seed
germination. Plant density ranged from 90,000 to 93,000 plants per acre.
Nitrogen, as urea ammonium nitrate solution, was applied at the rate of 130
pounds in three split applications. Plots were furrow irrigated as
necessary. Total amount of water applied ranged between 40 to 42 inches per
acre.
Plants were harvested for stem yield from two
center row sections 20 feet long in each plot during the third week of
October each year. Plant height was recorded at the same time. For bast
fiber yield during 1991 and 1992, 10 plants were selected from each plot at
harvest time. The middle 40-inch portion of these stems was used for fiber
determinationn.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Stem yield of 10 varieties over a three-year
period was significantly different, ranging between 7.4 and 9.3 tons per
acre (Table 1). The T-2, E-71, and 459 produced the highest yields; T-1,
E-41, C-108, and 15-2 were intermediate; and Cubano, RS10, and 117-2 were
lowest in yield. During 1993 two new varieties (SF459 and 7N) included in
the trial also resulted in highest stem yield (Table1). Stem height ranged
between 346 and 380 cm, with T-2, E-71, 459 and 7N producing the tallest
plants (Table 2). Stem yield (Fig. 1) was positively correlated with stem
height (R2=0.975). Percentage of bast fiber yield during 1991 and
1992 was highest for the 459, C108, and Cubano and lowest for the E41, T1,
and 152 varieties. Average bast fiber yield ranged between 2.73 and 3.39
tons per acre (Table 3). The T-2, E-71, 459, and C108 produced the highest
yields of all the varieties tested (Fig. 2). The bast fiber yield (Fig. 3)
was positively correlated with stem yield (R2=0.815).
 
 
 
The results indicate that T-2, E-71, SF459,
and 7N are equally and most adapted to the growing conditions of the Central
San Joaquin Valley of California. It should be noted that 7N, a newly
developed simple leaf strain, produced significantly greater yields than the
other simple leaf varieties (E-41, C-108, and Cubano), while the root-knot
nematode tolerant strain, SF459 (459), has the potential to produce
excellent yields in both nematode/soil fungi-infested (Cook and Mullin,
1994) and nematode-free soil.
Since selecting the best adapted varieties to
a specific area is necessary for obtaining maximum yield, these results
should provide beneficial information to kenaf producers in the San Joaquin
Valley of California. Further studies are being contunued indluding the new
varieties developed by Dr. Charles, G. Cook of USDA, Weslaco, Texas.
REFERENCES
Bhangoo, M.S., T.A. Jacobson, and C.G. Cook. "1991 Regional Uniform
Kenaf Variety Trial in the San Joaquin Valley, California (1990)," p. 5
in proceedings. Third Annual International Kenaf Association Conference,
Feb. 28-March 2, 1991, Tulsa Oklahoma.
Bhangoo, M.S., and C.G. Cook. "1992 Regional Uniform Kenaf Variety
Trial in the San Joaquin Valley, California (1991)," p. 22 in
proceedings. Fourth Annual International Kenaf Association Conference,
February 5-7, 1992, Biloxi, MS.
Bhangoo, M.S., and C.G. Cook. "1993 Regional Uniform Kenaf Variety
Trial in the San Joaquin Valley, California (1992)," pp. 184-189 in
proceedings. Fifth Annual International Kenaf Association Conference, March
3-5, 1993, Fresno CA.
Bhangoo, M.S., C.G. Cook, and Abebe Gaberhiwit. "1994 Regional Uniform
Kenaf Variety Trial in the San Joaquin Valley, California (1993)," in
proceedings. Sixth Annual International Kenaf Association Conference, New
Orleans, LA. (in press).
Cook, C.G., and B.A. Mullings. 1994. "Kenaf Response to the Root-knot
Nematode/Soil-borne Fungi Complex," in proceedings. Sixth Annual
International Kenaf Association Conference, New Orleans, LA., (in press).
Dempsey, J.M. 1975. Fiber Crops. The University Presses of Florida.
Gainseville., FL., 475 pp.
Kugler, D.E. 1988. "Kenaf Newsprint: Realizing Commercialization of a
New Crop After Four Decades of Research and Development," a report on
the kenaf demonstration project. USDA-CSRS, Washington, D.C. 13 pp.
Perry, R.C., D.E. Jones and M.S. Bhangoo. 1993. "A Preliminary Study on
Kenaf as a Feed for Livestock (1992)," pp. 45-48 in proceedings. Fifth
Annual International Kenaf Association Conference, March 3-5, 1993, Fresno
CA.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1988. "Kenaf Paper - A Forest-saving
Alternative." Agricultural Research. 36: 6-8.
{ page top }
- { CATI , CATI
- Independent Projects' Publications }
|