Potential for kenaf cultivation in south-central Arizona

Abstract

Kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus L. Malvaceae) is becoming a valuable crop for fabricating various consumer products. No information is available on kenaf culture for Arizona, where it can replace existing crops that are not profitable to grow. The objectives of this study were to determine the suitability of growing kenaf under water irrigation in south-central Arizona and to compare the yield components of kenaf cultivars. Five cultivars of kenaf (`Everglades 41', `Everglades 71', `Tainung #2', `SF459' and `KK60') were planted on 2 April 1996 at the Maricopa Agricultural Center, AZ. Cultivars were grown for 226 days in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Plots received 1947 mm of irrigation water and precipitation. Data collected included plant population, plant height and diameter, leaf and stalk fresh weight, dry stalk weight, total dry plant yield, and bast:core fiber ratio. Statistical differences among cultivars were detected for plant population, stalk dry weight and bast:core fiber. Despite having the lowest plant population (<100 000 plants/ha), cultivar KK60 had the heaviest stalk dry weight (0.312 kg/stalk) and greatest total plant yield (28.5 mt/ha/year). Cultivar SF459 had the highest bast:core ratio (0.62 g/g), and Tainung #2 and KK60 the lowest (both 0.48 g/g). Dry stalk weight and total yield were positively correlated with stalk diameter. Bast:core fiber ratio was inversely correlated with stalk height. Based on these results, we conclude that cultivar KK60 produces the greatest total yield under the conditions tested and that kenaf could be a viable crop system in south-central Arizona under irrigation.