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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #90032
Title: YIELD AND CULTURAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR KENAF (HIBISCUS CANNABINUS): A NEW BIOENERGY CROP ARIZONA

Author
item WAGNER, MICHAEL - NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIV
item Webber Iii, Charles
item MCMILLIN, JOEL - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Bio Energy
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cultivars of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L. Malvaceae) were evaluated for yield components in south-central Arizona. Five cultivars of kenaf ('Everglades 41', 'Everglades 71', 'Tainung #2', 'SF459', and 'KK60') were planted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center, AZ and were grown for 226 days safter planting. Plots of every cultivar were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Plots received 1,947 mm of irrigation water and natural precipitation over the 7.5 month growing season. Data collected included plant population, plant height and diameter, leaf and stalk fresh weight, dry stalk weight, and total dry plant yield. Statistical differences among cultivars were detected for plant population, stalk dry weight, and bast:core fiber. Cultivars KK60 and Tainung #2 had the highest yields, and cultivar SF495 had the highest bast:core ratio. Based on these results, we conclude that cultivar KK60 produces the highest total yield (28.5 mTons/ha/yr).