Growth performance of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus var. tainung) in relation to sowing depths and soil type

Abstract

Kenaf is a non-woody plant that has become one of the important alternative sources of soft fibre material used for packaging materials, paper making and textile. Higher fibre production depends largely on suitable agronomical conditions or practices the plant is subjected to during cultivation. Hence, the need to investigate how different seeding depths and soil types influence the growth performance of the plant. Three soil types (loam, sand and clay) and five sowing depths (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm) were studied. The parameters assessed were germination and growth attributes. The results showed that percentage germination, speed of germination and ability of seeds to germinate were significantly increased when the seeding depth was at 2 cm over other seeding depths. Seeding depth at soil surface and those of 1 cm limited all the germination attributes. All the germination attributes were significantly increased in kenaf seeds sown in loamy soil when compared to the other soil types. The results of growth attributes such as plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area and above-ground dry weight and yield attributes such as number of capsules per plant, number of seed per capsule and number of seeds per plant followed similar trend as recorded for those of germination parameters. Kenaf seeds planted on sandy soil showed reduction in time of seedling emergence, better growth and yield compared to clay soil. The study concluded that 2 cm seeding depth and well-drained soil such as sandy-loam soil are suitable agronomical practice and condition respectively needed for higher productivity that will hitherto translate to greater fibre production. Therefore, the reliance on fibre producing trees could be reduced if these optimum seeding depth and suitable soil type are used by the farmer in the cultivation of this non-woody plant which has the bulk of its stem filled with soft fibre tissue.