Effect of Nettle (Urtica dioca L.) density on fiber yield and quality in a natural ecosystem under East Mediterranean conditions

Stella Karydogianni,George Priniotakis,Zoi Tselia,Mohammed K Darawsheh,Ioanna Kakabouki,Charikleia Zisi

doi:10.25081/jp.2020.v12.6326

Stella Karydogianni, George Priniotakis + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.25081/jp.2020.v12.6326

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Abstract

Nettle (Urtica dioica L.), a new industrial crop, has been cultivated since the 12th century for its fibers. This study was conducted to specify the optimal density of plants in order to move from wild harvest to nettle cultivation. For the present study, sampling was performed in 21 different fields throughout Greece, during October 2018. The effect of nine different plant densities on several agronomic (plants height, leaf area and dry matter) and fiber quality (straw length, fiber percentage, yield, extension at break, strength, length, diameter) characteristics was determined. The higher fiber yield occurred at the lower density (4 plants m2), while the higher fiber diameter observed at the highest density (12 plants m2). Comparisons were performed at the 5% level of significance (p ≤ 0.05). According to our results, there have been negative correlations between plant density and certain agronomic and quality characteristics such as plant height and fiber length, hence the optimal density is about seven plants per m2.

Highlights

Urtica dioica is a novel industrial crop for fiber production
This study was conducted to specify the optimal density of plants in order to move from wild harvest to nettle cultivation
The higher fiber yield occurred at the lower density (4 plants m2), while the higher fiber diameter observed at the highest density (12 plants m2)

Summary

Introduction

Since the 12th century, fiber of wild species have been used for the fabrication of various materials [1]. This is a plant that grows in forests, fields, gardens, streets and various other areas. The cultivated areas of nettle were vastly reduced due to low fiber yields. Fiber removal process from the plant stems, via mechanical decortication, due to the low lignin content of the fibers [3] requires less energy than flax and hemp. The age of the plants, determine the yield of the fiber. It is worthy of note that plant species such as nettle, hemp and flax are renewable natural sources of fiber production [8]. According to other studies [2], the products, which are produced from nettle fibers, are more due to the curiosity of the industries

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