Kenaf Forage Yield and Quality as Affected by Population Density

Abstract

Population density can affect kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) forage morphology, yield, and nutritive value. The impact of plant population density on dry matter (DM) yield, DM partitioning in aerial organs, and forage quality parameters such as crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was determined. This study was conducted in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico, in the summers (June–September) of 2005 and 2006. Kenaf response to six plant population densities, ranging from 160,000 to 1,860,000 plants ha−1, was determined using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between plant density and parameters measured. Response of DM yield to population density was quadratic with maximum production (7078–7469 kg ha−1) between 920,000 and 1,245,000 plants ha−1 Dry matter yields per plant, number of nodes, and stem diameter declined as population density increased in a quadratic fashion, primarily between 160,000 and 840,000 plants ha−1 Dry matter partitioning into aerial organs and nutritive value were not affected by plant population. To reduce lodging susceptibility due to overly slender stems and to achieve about 95% of maximum yield, the proper population range for kenaf forage harvested at 89 d after sowing would appear to be 343,500 to 637,000 plants ha−1