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The Effects of Harvesting Age on the Fiber Qualities of Different Kenaf Varieties, Research Problem
Thesis Abstract:
Three promising kenaf varieties in the Philippines namely: Belle Glades No. 7, Everglades 71 and Cuba 108, and three other varieties introduced from Thailand, i.e., Cuba 977-044, Indian Kenaf and Non Sung 004, were used in the study. Indian Kenaf and Non Sung 004 are sabdariffa cultivars, while the other four varieties are cannabinus.
Results showed that age at harvest significantly affected the dry yields and other agronomic variables among the cultivars. The optimum age of harvest relative to the amount of fibers produced was 100 days old. Age at harvest rather than varietal differences significantly afftected plant yields. Plants harvested earlier or late gave low fiber qualities and yields.
Among the varieties, Belle Glades No. 7 and Non Sung 004 gave the highest and the lowest mean tensile strength, respectively. Plants harvested at 100 days old had a higher percentage of fiber elongation than those harvested earlier. Fibers from 60-day-old plants were very fine but had low quality point of view, the 80-day-old plants had the more desirable softness, strength and stretch.
In terms of yield, the cannabinus species performed better when harvested at 100 days old and the sabdariffa species when harvested at 120 days old.
In terms of fiber quality, cannabinus cultivars should be harvested at 80 days old and the sabdariffa, at 100 days of age.
Among the varieties studies, Cuba 977-044 exhibited an outstanding overall performance under Los Baños conditions.