Growth and Phenology of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Varieties

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) holds a promising potential in the Malaysian biocomposite industry, as its long fibres are suitable in the process of making a number of products such as pulp and paper, fibre and particle boards, as well as fibre reinforced plastic components and chemical absorbent. It can grow to a height of 4 to 6 m in about 4 to 5 months and yield up to 13-24 tonnes/ha total dry matter production (Angelini et al., 1998; Alexopolou et al., 2000; LeMahieau et al., 2003). The late maturity varieties (e.g. Everglades 41 and Tainung 2) are more productive than the early ones (e.g. PI 3234923 and PI 248901) because they have longer vegetative phase (Alexopoulou et al., 2007). Alexopoulou et al. (2000) also reported that the early-maturity varieties could grow up to 267 cm tall and produce 6-9 tonnes/ ha of dry matter, while the late maturity varieties could go up to 330 cm tall and produce 13-24 tonnes/ha, respectively. In addition, Danalatos and Archontoulis (2004) stated that the final production and quality of fibres were associated with the duration of its growing period. Early floral initiation and seed production were found to decrease the vegetative rate which resulted in lower stalk and fibre yield (Dempsey, 1975). According to Gray et al. (2006), the early maturing varieties (e.g. Line 42) took 72 days, intermediate varieties (e.g. Line 21 and Line 29) between 85 – 86 days, whereas the late varieties (e.g. Tainung 1, Pandora and Endora) took about 121 to 136 days to flower. The mean value of the seed production for the late flowering varieties (Guatemala 4 and Everglades 71) was 12.8 seeds per capsule and the average seed yield at maturity 0.60 and 1.04 tonnes/ha, respectively (Muchow, 1980; Muchow and Wood, 1983). A definite dry season is necessary to achieve high and good quality seeds. The study was conducted to evaluate growth, as well as to study some flowering and seed production characteristics of nine kenaf varieties.