Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #110829
Title: STALK YIELD, BAST: CORE FIBER RATIO, AND GROWTH MEASUREMENTS OF KENAF CULTIVARS IRRIGATED WITH PULP AND PAPER MILL WASTEWATER

Author
item MCMILLIN, J.D. - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item WAGNER, M.R. - NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIV.
item Webber Iii, Charles
item MANN, S.S. - NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIV.
item NICHOLS, J.D. - NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIV.
item JECH, L. - NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIV.

Submitted to: Kenaf Association International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: MCMILLIN, J., WAGNER, M., WEBBER III, C.L., MANN, S., NICHOLS, J., JECH, L. STALK YIELD, BAST: CORE FIBER RATIO, AND GROWTH MEASUREMENTS OF KENAF CULTIVARS IRRIGATED WITH PULP AND PAPER MILL WASTEWATER. KENAF ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. 1997. V. 9. P. 9-15.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) cultivars irrigated with pulp and paper wastewater were evaluated for stalk yield, bast:core ratio, and growth measurements in north-central Arizona. The five kenaf cultivars ('Everglades 41', 'Everglades 71', 'Tainung #2', 'SF459', and 'KK60') were planted in a randomized block design with four replications at Zeniff, AZ and harvested at 128 days after planting. Although no statistical differences were detected among cultivars for any of the variables measured, except for stalk diameter, cultivar Tainung #2 had the highest stalk yield (3.5 dry tons/ac/year [7,859.1 kg/ha]), stalk height (1.88 meters [6.2 feet]), while cultivar SF495 had the highest bast:core ratio (0.484) and Tainung #2 the lowest (0.372). Based on these results, the researchers concluded that for the growing conditions tested, Tainung #2 is the best option for maximizing stalk biomass and total bast fiber yield. This initial research demonstrated the feasibility of producing suitable kenaf yields with pulp and paper wastewater. Future research with an irrigated freshwater treatment would provide a comparison between water sources to determine if there are any detrimental aspects of producing kenaf with pulp and paper mill wastewater.