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bioweb.sungrant.org » Technical » Biomass Resources » Agricultural Resources » New Crops » Non-Wood Fiber Crops » Kenaf

Kenaf	Printer Friendly

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a warm season annual, closely related to cotton and okra, and native to east-central Africa. Kenaf contains moderately long bast-like fibers in its outer bark and balsa wood-like short fibers in its inner core. The outer stem (bark) is 30 to 35% of the stem weight and the fiber content of the bark is 50 to 55%. The core comprises the remaining 60 to 65% of the stem weight, with the short fibers comprising 45 to 50% of the core. The bast fiber is used to produce products such as burlap, carpet padding, and pulp. The short-fibered core is used for bedding, packing materials, absorbent mats, etc. Although developed as a fiber crop, kenaf could potentially be used as a livestock feed. Crude protein content in kenaf leaves, stalks, and total plant ranged from 14 to 34%, 2 to 12%, and 6 to 23% respectively. Because of its relatively high yields, kenaf could also be a source of cellulose material for bioenergy and bioproducts. It can also be used to produce fiber-plastic composite materials.   Kenaf generally requires a long growing season as occurs in the southern U.S. where it can reach heights of 12 to 18 feet and produce 5 to 10 dry tons of fiber/ac. It is planted by direct seeding (using row crop planters or grain drills) after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures exceed 55◦ F. A firm seedbed is necessary and ridge-till might be an effective planting option in more northern areas.  Kenaf is densely planted (75,000 to 120,000 plants/ac; 6 to 14 lbs seed/ac). Fertilizer application rates are generally around 100 to 150 lb nitrogen/ac, and 60 lbs P2O5/ac and 90 lbs K2O/ac when soil tests indicate low phosphorus and potassium. Kenaf is susceptible to root-knot nematodes. Due to the photosensitive nature of most varieties planted in the U.S., seed production is limited to frost-free areas in southern Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California.   Kenaf reaches maturity in about 150 days and is harvested once in late fall or winter. Various harvesting methods can be used including the use of standard forage harvesters and hay balers or modified sugar cane harvesters. Estimated production costs vary by location--a recent Tennessee study estimates the cost at $287/acre ($2004) (assuming the above management practices, baling, and yields of 7.2 dry tons/ac). For kenaf to be more profitable than other crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton) in the three TN counties examined, a price of $49/dt was needed. Approximately 8,000 acres are currently planted to kenaf, mostly in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana.

References
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 1997, Straw and Kenaf make inroads in building materials and paper, Industrial Uses, IUS-7. Ag Links, 2005, Growing and Using Kenaf, www.aglinks.com.au/forums Preston Sullivan, June 2003, Kenaf Production, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas. Charles S. Taylor, 1995, Kenaf Fact Sheet, Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products. P.J. LeMahieu, E.S. Oplinger, and D.H. Putnam, April 1991, Kenaf, Alternative Field Crops Manual, University of Wisconsin. Richard J. Roseberg, 1996, Underexploited temperate industrial and fiber crops, In Progress in New Crops, J.Janick (ed.), ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA, pp. 60-84. Brazen, E.F.; Roberts, R.K. and English, B.C. (2006). Economic feasibility of Kenaf production in three Tennessee counties. [Place of publication unknown]. [Publisher unknown]. C.L. Webber III, V.K. Bledsoe, and R.E. Bledsoe, 2002, Kenaf harvesting and processing, In: Trends in new crops and new uses, J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.), ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA, pp. 340-347.