Higher Fiber Yield Research Articles

Variability and interrelation of yield components in fiber hemp

Variability and interrelation of yield components in fiber hemp were analysed in field experiments. This research included 20 commercial varieties currently being cultivated in Europe. Significant variability was determined for plant height, stem yield, fiber content and fiber yield, so these materials can be useful as a good base for future fiber hemp breeding and production improvement. Stem diameter was predominantly determined by ecological factors, and genetic background of examined varieties had small influence on expression of this trait. Regarding expression of other yield components, influence of genetic factors was more important than environmental conditions. Correlation between analyzed traits shows that high stem and fiber yield are achieved in higher populations of fiber hemp with thicker stem. Fiber content increased with stem thickness increase.

Evaluation of harvesting time effects and cultivars of kenaf on papermaking

This study investigates effects of six kenaf cultivars named Cubano, Niger, Cubano 2032, 9277, 7551, and 7566 and three harvesting time stages on the properties of pulp and handsheet paper made from kenaf. Six cultivars of an Iranian kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), were planted on 19 May 2007, and harvested after 85, 105, and 135 days. It was understood that with the increase of plant age, fiber yield increased. Maximum yield at each of three harvesting time stages was related to Niger. Consequently, if a high fiber yield is sought, Niger can be recommended, but for a paper with high strength properties, Cubano 2032 is strongly suggested. This cultivar produces a paper with significant burst, tear, breaking length and fold endurance even though its yield was somewhat lower than that of Niger at short harvesting times. Moreover, at second harvesting time stage, maximum strength properties of handsheets such as burst, tear, and breaking length, were seen in Cubano, though the fiber yield of this cultivar was a bit lower than Niger, but still more than Cubano 2032. We showed that a minor positive change in the handsheet properties could be achieved through harvesting kenaf at the third stage as compared to the first and second stages.

Weed control via intercropping with gliricidia: I. cotton crop

The majority of cotton grown commercially in the world has white lint, but recently, there has been a growing interest in colored lint cotton in several countries, including Brazil. The use of naturally-colored fiber reduces chemical pollution. The objective of this paper was to evaluate cotton cultivar fiber yield in response to weed control via intercropping with gliricídia. Cultivars BRS-Verde (greenish fibers), BRS-Rubi (reddish brown fibers), BRS-Safira (brown fibers), and BRS-187 8H (white fibers) were submitted to the following treatments: no hoeing, two hoeings (at 20 and 40 days after transplanting), and cotton intercropped with gliricídia. In the intercropped treatment, gliricídia was planted between rows of cotton plants, using one seedling pit-1, in pits spaced 50.0 cm apart. Twelve weed species predominated in the experiment, many of them belonging to the Poaceae family. Weeds occurred at different frequencies and in a non-uniform manner in the experimental area. Cultivars did not influence weed dry matter. Intercropping with gliricídia reduced weed dry matter but did not prevent reductions in cotton fiber and seed cotton yield, which were higher in hoed plots. Cultivar BRS Safira had the highest fiber yield, but no differences were observed between cultivars regarding to seed cotton yield.

Promoter anchored amplified polymorphism based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (PAAP-RAPD) in cotton

Non-coding sequences account for a majority of the higher plant genome, some of which have important effects in gene regulation and plant development. In an effort to develop molecular marker systems to search for polymorphisms associated with high fiber yield and quality in cotton, we have developed a methodology that could specifically target the regulatory regions of the cotton genome. In this study we designed 10-nucleotide degenerate promoter primers based on conserved core promoter sequences and tested their applicability in PCR amplifications in combination with 10-mer random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. The amplified markers are called promoter anchored amplified polymorphism based on RAPD (PAAP-RAPD). Forty cotton genotypes with diverse genetic and geographical backgrounds were used to test the PAAP-RAPD system using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on PAAP-RAPD markers amplified from 12 primer combinations, the 40 genotypes were classified into five distinctive groups: two Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) groups from China, another two Upland cotton groups from the USA, and one group from American Pima cotton (G. barbadense). The groupings are in general consistent with their genetic and geographical origins. Thirty-six PAAP-RAPD and RAPD fragments were cloned and four of them were further subjected to sequence analysis. Signal scanning using software PLACE confirmed that they contained an array of cis-regulatory sequences in addition to the core promoter sequences. The results demonstrate the potential application of PAAP-RAPD as a new marker system specifically targeting regulatory regions of the plant genome.

Determination of optimum fertilizer and spacing requirement for sustaining higher growth and fibre yield of Indian ramie (Boehmeria nivea)

A field experiment was conducted during 1997-2000 on medium fertile, sandy-loam acidic soil of Ramie Re- search station, Sorbhog, Assam, to study the effect of fertilizer and spacing on growth and fibre yield of ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.] cv. 'R 141 1'. Total 14 cuttings could be taken in the order of 2,5, 4 and 3 cuttings in the lst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year respectively. The highest fibre yield of 164 to 650 kglhdcutting was recorded with 40:20:20 kg NPWhdcutting of whereas the lowest spacing, i.e. 20 cm x 40 cm resulted in the highest fibre yield1 cutting ranging between 172 and 654 kglhdcutting, may be due to accommodation of higher cane numbers per unit area. Interaction of fertilizer and spacing showed that 40:20:20 kglhalcutting of NPK along with 20 cm x 40 cm spacing resulted in the highest fibre yield per cutting (184-690 kglhdcutting) which was at par with fibre yield (179-687 kglhdcutting) obtained with 30:15:15 kglhdcutting of NPK with 20 cm x 40 cm spacing. Second year of the plantation provided the highest total fibre yield of 2,469 kglha with 40:20:20 kglha of NPK along with 20 cm x 40 cm spacing. Regarding the cutting-wise fibre yield, it was observed that 2 cutting (July) gave the highest fibre yield (597kglhdcutting) followed by 3rd, 1st and 4 cutting in descending order.

Integrated weed management in roselle (Hibiscus snbdariffa)

A rainfed field experiment was carried oui on sandy clay-loam soil during the rainy (khor!fi scasons of 1987-1989 to know the impact of different weed-management practices on weed control, growth and yield of roselle (Hibiscussabdarrffa L.). Schedulingof 2 hand-weedings at 20 and 35 days t~llcr sowing controlled the weeds more effectively and resulted in the highest fibre yield 2,078 bgllii~. Among the herbicides, pre-planting incorporation of fluchloralin @ 1 kg ailha3 or 7 days beforc sowing inllucnccd the crop favourably and increased the fibre yield by 25.4% than weedy check. I:luchlori~lin when integrated with 1 hand-weeding at 35 days recorded fibre yield on a par with the 1ri1dition;ll ~)rilcticc of hand-weeding twice at 20 and 35 days and proved significantly superior to all other wcctl-control practices.

Comparative study of Kenaf varieties and growing conditions and their effect on kraft pulp quality

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is an annual plant which produces a very high fiber yield per hectare and has demonstrated to be a suitable material for pulping. The crop conditions influence fiber production, but there is no information about their effect on pulp quality. The aim of this work was to study the effect of kenaf varieties and crop conditions (watering dose and harvesting time) on sulfate pulp quality. The study has been made on bast fiber sulfate pulps due to their high added value. The quality criteria were fiber dimensions, chemical composition and pulp quality. Kenaf variety or crop conditions have significant effect on fiber dimensions, holocellulose content, kappa number and breaking strength. To obtain high fiber yield and good delignified pulps it is recommended to grow the Salvador variety and to employ advance harvesting.

Quick Fiber Process: Effect of Mash Temperature, Dry Solids, and Residual Germ on Fiber Yield and Purity

ABSTRACTPreliminary calculations showed that recovery of fiber before fermentation in the dry grind ethanol facilities known as the Quick Fiber process increases fermenter capacity and reduces ethanol production cost by as much as 4 ¢/gal. The objective of the current research was to evaluate the effect of mash temperature, dry solids, and residual germ on fiber yield and purity when using the quick fiber process. Fiber was recovered by flotation and skimming, while maintaining a specified temperature, dry solids, and residual germ in the mash. Varying temperature and dry solids in the mash resulted in a statistically significant effect on the fiber yield, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content, and weight of NDF/100 g of dry corn. Varying residual germ in the mash resulted in statistically significant differences for NDF through dilution and the weight of NDF/100 g of dry corn. The highest fiber yield was 10.9% at 45°C, 23% dry solids, and 15% residual germ; the highest NDF was 50.9% at 30°C, 21% dry solids, and 0% residual germ. The highest weight of NDF/100 g of dry corn was observed at 45°C, 23% dry solids, and 0% residual germ.

Accumulation and utilization efficiency of potassium in ramie varieties

Difference in nutrient utilization efficiency of genotypes of crops is attracting more and more attention of plant nutrition and breeding scientists. This experiment was carried out to reveal whether genotypic variation of potassium (K.) utilization efficiency exists in ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.], by measuring K concentrations and accumulations in different organs in relation to the dry matter and fiber productivity of six field growing ramie varieties with evident dissimilarity in growth vigor. Potassium concentration decreased in leaves, petioles and seeding organ, but increased in stem wood and in the raw fiber of high raw fiber yield (RFY) varieties at the late growth stage. For different parts, stem bark attained the largest K concentration, followed in order by petiole, stem wood, seeding organs, raw fiber and leaves. Potassium concentration of stem wood, bark and raw fiber, respectively, demonstrated positive and significant correlation with RFY. Potassium utilization efficiency declined by harvest time. The results suggested that the ramie varieties with high biomass and RFY and K consumption such as Xiyeqing can be planted under the condition of abundant K resource, while Nindu‐Ramie variety may be used as high K efficient genetic resource for its ratios of RFY (g) and biomass (g) to K consumption (g) are over 25 and 114, respectively, in spite of its low biomass and RFY.

Response to selection for plant height in X-ray treated population of jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) cv. JRC 212

X irradiation of dry seeds of Corchorus capsularis L. cv. JRC 212 induced variations in plant height as evidenced by the high values of genotypic variance and heritability estimate in M3 generation. Selection on the basis of line mean of plant height in M3 generation was effective in increasing plant height as well as fibre yield in M3 generation. A higher response for plant height rather than for fibre yield itself was observed in lower irradiation dose while responses for these two traits were almost similar in higher dose. An average of 12% increase in fibre yield was achieved in M6 generation when all top five lines were selected. The top two lines, had 17% and 16% higher fibre yield than that of control.

An anatomical screening approach to selection of high yielding mutants of jute ( Corchorus capsularis L.)

Two morphological criteria, e.g. plant height and base diameter, have been used for selecting jute mutants with higher fibre yield. This method, however, involves the use of many generations for the selection and handling of large populations. A screening technique was developed by studying various anatomical components from transverse stem sections of the mother variety D-154 and 18 of its gamma-ray induced mutants (M 7). Genetic and environmental coefficients of variability and simple correlations were computed to confirm the apparent influence of various agronomical and anatomical characters on fibre yield. Higher yielding strains had thicker bark and larger areas of fibre cells/section. Number of fibre cells/bundle showed a negative influence on fibre yield. Area of fibre cells/section had the highest genetic coefficient of variability and the lowest environmental coefficient of variability, indicating the widest scope for, and the greatest response to selection for this character. This character also showed the highest significant correlation with fibre yield/plant and hence proved to be more effective in determining the yielding potential of a strain than the agronomic characters of plant height and base diameter. In view of the relationships of these anatomical components to fibre yield of jute strains it is suggested that this screening method be applied to the M 3 progeny of the M 2 plants selected on the basis of plant height and base diameter. By this method it should be possible to discard most of the M 3 progency of particular M 2 families segregating for lower fibre yield. Moreover, screening in M 3 would assist the breeder by reducing the number of generations required to select stable, homozygous mutants.

Cytological investigations in back-crosses and amphidiploids in Hibiscus (L.) species

Cytological observations in amphidiploids of the F1sH.acetosella (2n=72) ×H. cannabinus (2n = 36) andH. radiatus (2n=72) ×H. cannabinus (2n=36) and backcrosses of these F1s withH. acetosella andH. cannabinus, showed highly irregular chromosomal behaviour. These meiotic irregularities are considered as the probable causes for different degrees of the sterility exhibited by these plants. Perenniality and branching habit, wilt resistance, high fibre yield, inH. acetosella andH. radiatus appeared to be due to factors present in its B genome. The possibilities of transferring these factors toH. cannabinus, the cultivated types have been explored.

Analysis of Longitudinal Stress Imparted to Fibers in Twisting an Optical Communication Cable Unit

In the exploratory fiber optic cables used in the Atlanta Fiberguide System Experiment, 12 optical fiber ribbons each containing 12 fibers are stacked one on top of the other to form a rectangular array of 144 optical fibers. Just prior to sheathing, the array is twisted to a given period (lay) in order to improve its bending properties. Moreover, good cable bending properties dictate short lay lengths. However, short lay lengths result in high longitudinal (axial) stresses and strains in the optical fibers. To obtain high fiber yield in cable manufacturing, such strains must be well below 0.3 percent for current 35 ksi fibers. A model which assumes that each fiber follows a helical space curve is used to calculate an upper bound on the axial stress imparted by the twisting operation. The intent was to use the results to choose a lay length short enough to give acceptable bending properties yet long enough to avoid endangering fiber survival in cable manufacture. Model predictions based on a cable design similar to the one in the Atlanta Fiberguide System Experiment lead to the conclusion that the twist period should be not less than 4 inches.

Induction of high-yielding mutants in jute.

Abstract Repeated selection of tall and thick-stemmed plants made in a number of generations after treatment with X-rays and 32 P on jute seeds led to the isolation of 4 high-fibre-yielding mutants, 2 each in Corchorus olitorius and C. capsularis . The capsularis mutants had an unusual combination of characters of early-flowering and short-flowering period. Evidence is presented to indicate that high-fibre yield of an X-ray mutant, Tall Mutant , over the mother line R. 26 in C. olitorius is mainly due to increased number of ultimate fibre cells.