Fiber yields inSansevieria interspecific hybrids

Abstract

Fiber yields are reported for the interspecific hybrid ‘ Florida H-13’ (Sansevieria trifasciata Prain × S. deserti 2V. E. Brown), subjected to various harvesting cycles at three locations in southern Florida. Yields of ‘Florida H-13’ are compared with those of other F1F2triploid, and backcross hybrids and the parental species, S. trifasciata. Fiber yields were higher from plants grown on peat soil at Belle Glade than on sandy soil at Lake Worth or Immokalee, in spite of the significantly colder winters encountered at the former location. Average annual fiber yields at first harvest increased up to 30 months of age at Belle Glade and Lake Worth and up to 66 months of age at Immokalee. Re-growth yields were higher than original yields front plants grown at Belle Glade, sometimes higher from those grown at Lake Worth, but significantly lower from those grown at Immokalee. Annual harvests of ‘Florida H-13’ were neither feasible nor necessary, even though plants sustained frost damage each winter at Belle Glade and lmmokalee. None of the other hybrids yielded significantly more fiber than ‘Florida H-13’, but one F1, clone, H52-151, and two triploid clones, H54-4 and H54-5, sometimes yielded as much. Results suggest that ‘Florida H-13’ could be grown successfully as a fiber crop in southern Florida, particularly on peat soils, where high yields would be associated with low fertilizer costs.