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Kenaf OnLine Newsletter
Kenaf OnLine Newsletter
The Internet Newsletter about kenaf and agroresidues
This is a biweekly OnLine Newsletter about kenaf and agroresidues for 
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Volume 1, Number 1  July  15, 1996
Editor and Publisher,  Dr. Carol  Cross
Kenaf OnlIne (KENAFOL) is a World Wide Web/Internet  NetMag focused on 
creating a Sustainable world through kenaf and agroresidues for Rural 
Agroindustrial Centers (RAICs), Village Business Incubators(VBIs) and 
Tropical Cut and Carry Teams (TCCTs). KENAFOL will be developed just 
like any print magazine.  You can contribute articles, ask questions and 
 develop your kenaf expertise at no cost to you.
===========================================================
Issue Number 1 July 1997
1.  Japanese visit Grenada’s paper mill
2.  Kenaf  as an alternative crop in Arkansas
3.  Questions and Answers from Dr. Cross’s Internet Seminar - Part 1
=========================================================
1. Japanese visit Grenada's paper mill

Grenada Mississippi.  Executives of major Japanese paper-mill companies 
visited Grenada's Newsprint South yesterday.  The purpose of the 
executives' visit is to study Mississippi pulp and paper opportunities 
along with Mississippi's newest non-traditional commodity - kenaf.'
Many Japanese paper companies are interested in kenaf because the paper 
industry goal in Japan is to use 10 percent non-wood in their production 
paper and paper products by the year 2000.
This could mean an economic boon for kenaf producers because Japan is 
second only to the United States in the amount of paper produced and 
consumed. According to the Mississippi Department  of  Agriculture  and 
Commerce, this equates to over $100 million in potential for kenaf.
Kenaf is made in China, Thailand and Mississippi. Mississippi leads the 
nation with approximately 3,000 acres of kenaf being grown and processed 
in Tallahatchie County. The processing  of kenaf is centered in 
Charleston, Mississippi.
Kenaf products include: non-wood paper, oil absorbents, plant porting 
media, animal bedding,  and grass seed mats, amount other things. One 
person has tagged kenaf the "ginzu knife" for agriculture.
Kenaf has the potential to be a major enterprise for not only 
Mississippi, but much of the southern United States. One official said 
Thailand and China do not have as much modern machinery as American 
farmers and that this makes doing business with the Untied States a very 
viable option.
The Japanese executives are expected to be in Mississippi through May 30 
 and  to  hear  Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell Jr. speak at a 
luncheon. Funding for the kenaf trade mission is through the USDA's 
Foreign Agriculture Service with the Southern  United  States  Trade 
Association serving as the generic activity coordinator.

>From the Grenada Mississippi  paper, May 28,  1996.
=============================================================
2. KENAF - An Alternative Crop for Arkansas
KENAF - An Alternative Crop for Arkansas -Arkansas Cooperative Extension 
Service

Introduction

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a warm season annual closely related 
to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

Kenaf can be used as a domestic supply of cordage fiber in the 
manufacture of	rope, twine, carpet backing and burlap. Research, in the 
early 1940s, focused on -	the development of high-yielding 
anthracnose-resistant varieties, cultural practices and harvesting 
machinery.


During the 1950s, kenaf was identified as a promising fiber source for 
paper pulp. Kenaf fibers have been processed into high quality newsprint 
and bond paper.

Although kenaf is usually considered a fiber crop, research indicates 
that it has high protein content and, therefore, is a potential 
livestock feed. Crude protein in kenaf leaves ranged from 21 to 34 
percent, stalk crude protein ranged from 10 to 12 percent, and 
whole-plant crude protein ranged from 16 to 23 percent.

Kenaf can be ensilaged effectively, and it has satisfactory 
digestibility with a high percentage of digestible protein. 
Digestibility of dry matter and crude proteins in kenaf feeds ranged 
from 53 to 58 percent, and 59 to 71 percent, respectively Kenaf meal, 
used as a supplement in a rice ration for sheep, compared favorably with 
a ration containing alfalfa meal.

In addition to the use of kenaf for cordage, paper pulp and livestock 
feed researchers have investigated its use as poultry litter and animal 
bedding, bulking agent for sewage sludge composting and as a potting 
soil amendment. Additional products include automobile dashboards, 
carpet padding, corrugated medium, as a "substitute for fiberglass and 
other synthetic fibers," building materials (particle boards of various 
densities, thicknesses, and fire and insect resistances), absorbents, 
textiles and as fibers in extraction molded plastics.


Photosensitivity and
Seed Production

Kenaf varieties can be divided into two major groups based on their 
photosensitivity - photosensitive and photoinsensitive. Typically, 
photosensitive varieties are preferred for the production of fiber in 
the United States. Two -of these varieties, Everglades 41 and 
IEverglades 71, were developed by USDA researchers to extend the 
vegetative growing season before the plants initiate flowering. 
Photosensitive cultivars initiate flowering when daylengths decrease to 
approximately 12.5 h; mid September in southern states. In 
photosensitive varieties, the initiation of flowering causes a reduction 
in vegetative  growth.  	Because of late floral initiation and 
inability to produce mature seed prior to a killing frost, seed 
production in the United States for these varieties is limited to 
southern Florida, the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and southernmost 
Arizona and
is	California.

Photoinsensitive (often referred to as day neutral) varieties can 
initiate flowering and produce mature seed before a killing frost north 
of latitude 300. Photoinsensitive varieties, such as Guatemala 4, 
Guatemala 45, Guatemala 48, Guatemala 51 and Cuba 2032, can initiate 
flowering 100 days after planting (DAP), and before the daylength 
decreases to 12.5 h. Photoinsensitive varieties can, therefore, be 
planted during May or early June in central United States and still have 
ample time to produce mature seed. The earlier production of mature seed 
for photoinsensitive varieties greatly expands the potential seed 
production areas.

As a livestock feed, kenaf is usually harvested at an earlier growth 
stage than as a fiber crop; 60 to 90 DAP compared with 120 to 150 DAP. 
During a shorter growing season, photoinsensitive varieties can produce 
dry matter yields equivalent to photosensitive varieties, while using 
seed that can be produced further north and in a larger geographic area.

Harvesting and Pelletizing

The evaluation of field equipment for harvesting kenaf continues to be 
an important aspect of commercialization. It has been demonstrated that 
standard forage cutting, chopping and baling equipment can be used for 
harvesting kenaf as either a forage or fiber crop. Kenaf can be baled 
into small square or large round bales. Sugar cane harvesters, with and 
without modification, have also been successfully used to harvest kenaf. 
In cotton growing regions, cotton modules have been used for field-side 
storage of chopped kenaf. Kenaf can also be pelleted for use as a fiber 
or forage crop. Pelletizing kenaf increased its density by at least 390 
percent, therefore, reducing both transportation and storage costs. It 
may be economically advantageous to use available commercial harvesting 
and processing equipment rather than investing in the development and 
production of kenaf specific equipment. Appropriate harvesting and 
pelletizing equipment is readily available throughout the United States. 
Mobile in the field harvester/separators are being developed, which will 
cut and then separate the bast and core fibers in the field.

When harvesting kenaf for fiber use, the moisture content and the 
equipment availability are important considerations. Kenaf can be 
harvested for fiber when it is dead, due to a killing frost or 
herbicides, or when it is still growing. The dry standing kenaf can be 
cut and then chopped, baled or transported as full length stalks. If the 
kenaf drying and defoliation process is dependent on a killing frost, 
the harvesting date will vary on the area of the state where the crop is 
growing and the time required for the kenaf to dry unless artificial 
drying is used. Much of the land which could be planted to kenaf does 
not lend itself to late harvest because of weather conditions and soil 
type.

Actively growing kenaf can be cut and then allowed to dry in the field. 
0nce dried, the kenaf can then be chopped, baled or transported as full 
length stalks. The availability of in the field harvester/separators 
will add to the harvesting options.

Kenaf is a crop which is normally harvested in late fall or winter, and 
only once during the year. This presents some unique situations as far 
as supply and storage are concerned.
Marketing

Additional markets for kenaf as a fiber crop and as a finished product 
need to be developed. The development of kenaf as a fiber crop depends 
on several conditions. What happens in the forest industry in the wood 
and pulp product areas will be a major factor in the development of 
kenaf into a major industry The development of large stable markets for 
the raw and finished products must occur before farmers and industry 
will be willing to invest time and capital on a large scale.

The development of any new industry takes time, capital, scientific 
research, product research and development, and eventually stable 
markets. In the kenaf industry part of this development has already 
happened, but much is yet to be done.

Summary

The United States acceptance of kenaf as a major commercial crop will be 
strengthened as additional uses for kenaf are established. The increased 
production, processing and product development work being conducted 
within private industry state universities and USDA laboratories is 
encouraging and suggests a bright future for the establishment of kenaf 
as a commercial crop within the United States. However, for kenaf to 
become a viable alternative agricultural e crop, stable markets must be 
established which will provide farmers with an economic return equal to 
or surpassing what they now receive for a given crop.

For kenaf to effectively replace products now on the market, it will 
have to be of equal or better quality than those to be replaced, be 
readily available to the industry and end users, be easily harvested and 
h have potential to be economically produced.

Additional agricultural research for Arkansas - should include disease 
control and variety adaptation,  along with the evaluation of harvesting 
systems and the economics appropriate for Arkansas production areas and 
products.

References

Bagby M.O., R.L. Cunningham, F.G. Touzinsky G.E. Hamerstrand, E.L. 
Curtis, and B.T. Hofreiter. 1979. Kenaf thermomechanical pulp in 
newsprint.  ( TAPPI/NPFP Committee Progr. Rpt 10. Atlanta, GA.

Clark, T.K, R.L. Cunningham, and I.A. Wolff. 1971. A search for new 
fiber crops. TAPPI 54:(1)63-65.

Clark, T.F. and I.A. Wolff. 1969. A search for new fiber crops, XI. 
Compositional characteristics of Illinois kenaf at several population 
densities and maturities. TAPPI 52:2606- 2116.

Dempsey J.M. 1975. Fiber Crops. The University Presses of Florida, 
Gainesville, FL.

Dryer, J.F. 1967. Kenaf seed varieties. p. 44-46. Proc. First Conference 
on Kenaf for Pulp. Gainesville, FL.

Fuller, M.J. and J.C. Dollar. 1994. An economic analysis of kenaf 
separation. p. 21-22. In: CE. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). 
A summary of kenaf production and product development research, Miss. 
State Univ. Bul. 1011.

Goforth, C.E. 1994. The evaluation of kenaf as an oil sorbent. p. 25. 
In: C.E. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of kenaf 
production and product development research. Miss. State Univ. Bul. 
1011.

Killinger, G.B. 1969. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L. a multi-use crop. 
Agron. J. 61:734-736.

Kugler, D.E. 1988. Non-wood fiber crops: commercialization of kenaf for 
newsprint. p. 289-292. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in 
new crops. Timber Press, Portland,0R.

Laiche, A.J. and S.E. Newman, 1994. Kenaf core as a container media 
component for woody landscape plants and greenhouse bedding plants. p. 
30. In: C.E. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of 
kenaf production and product development research. Miss. State Univ. 
Bul. 1011.

Nieschlag, H.J., G.H. Nelson, I.A. Wolff, and R.E. Perdue, Jr. 1960. A 
search for new fiber crops. TAPPI 43:193-201.

Ramaswamy, G.N. and C.R. Boyd. 1994. Kenaf as a textile fiber: 
processing, fiber quality and product development. p. 31-33. In: C.E. 
Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of kenaf production 
and product development research. Miss. State Univ. Bul. 1011.

Scott, A. 1982. Kenaf seed production: 1981-82. p. 60-63. Rio Farms, 
Inc. Biennial Report for l980-1981 Monte Alto, Texas.

Scott, A.W. Jr. and C.S. Taylor. 1988. Economics of kenaf production in 
the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. p. 292-297. In: J. Janick and J.E. 
Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Port land, OR.

Suriyajantratong, W., R.E. Tucker, R.E. Sigafus and G.E. Mitchell, Jr. 
1973. Kenaf and rice straw for sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 37:1251-1254.

Swingle, R.S., A.R. Urias, J.C.Doyle, and R.L. Voigt. 1978. Chemical 
composition of kenaf forage and its digestibility by lambs and in vitro. 
J. Anim. Sci. 46:1346-1350.

Tilmon, H.D., R. Taylor, and G. Malone. 1988. Kenaf: an alternative crop 
for Delaware. p. 301-302. In: Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in 
new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR 

Webber, C.L. III. 1990a. Kenaf production with sewage sludge and 
fertilizer. p. 15. Proc. Second Annual International Kenaf Assoc. Conf. 
Tulsa, OK. (abstr.)

Webber, C.L. III. 1990b. The effects of kenaf cultivars and harvest 
dates on plant growth, protein content, and dry matter yields. p. 
147-152. Proc. First Annual International Conf. on New Industrial Crops 
and Products. Riverside, CA.

Webber, C.L. III and R.E. Bledsoe. 1993. Kenaf: production, harvesting, 
and products. p. 416-421. In: Janick, J. and Simon, J.E. (eds.). New 
Crops. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, N.Y.

White, G.A., D.G. Cummins, E.L. whiteley W.T. Fike, J.K. Greig, J.A. 
Martin, G.B. Killinger, J.J. Higgins, and T.F. Clark. 1970. Cultural and 
harvesting methods for kenaf. USDA Prod. Res. Report 113. Washington, 
D.C.

Wilson, ED., T.E. Summers, J.F. Joyner, D.W. Fishler, and C.C. Seale. 
1965. 'Everglades 41' and 'Everglades 71', two new varieties of kenaf 
(Hibiscus cannabinus L.) for the fiber and seed. Florida Agr. Exp. Stat. 
Cir. S-168.

Wing, J. M. 1967. Ensilability acceptability and digestibility of kenaf.
========================
Questions and Answers from Dr. Cross’s Internet Seminar - Part 1
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Horst Doelle <H.Doelle@mailbox.uq.oz.au>

Dear Dr. Cross,
I have read with great interest your kenaf article. It all sounds great
for feedlots and large scale as is the case in the USA or Europe. I have
some difficulties to see the economics for small farmer and landholders 
in the tropics, especially in SEAsia and the Pacific, where there are no 
'feedlots'. 
***A note on seed yields-

Dr. Crane in Cuba obtained 1500 lb. of seed per acres or approximately 
1,680 kgs per hectare.  This was from a planting made late in the 
season.  He pointed out that yields of over a ton per acre could be 
produced by planting earlier in the season.
******************************************************************************
A.  Kenaf can be grown on small plots, cut and cut again for high 
quality livestock feed.  AT Mississippi State University, they are 
experimenting with cutting it every 30 days.  Indeed, we are developing 
a special program called the Kenaf Cut and Carry program for developing 
country farmers who want to grow small plots of kenaf to use for 
livestock feed.  We are producing right now, a profusely illustrated 
booklet, showing how this system will be used.  In addition to the 
English language booklet, we are planning a Spanish edition, as well as 
a farmer self  training  activities  booklet and cassette tapes showing 
and describing  the methods.  Indeed, we will be holding a special one 
day workshop “Kenaf Cut and Carry Forage Systems For Small Farmers”,  
here in August, 1996 to share and learn methods of using kenaf  for 
small scale farmers..  We will have sessions on cutting kenaf with a 
machete, chopping it with a chaff cutter from India we are marketing, 
making baled silage, combining kenaf with AgroResidues,  building 
stockade and shade structures to hold animals.  the booklet will contain 
explicit details on how to feed the animals.  We are developing this 
system for goats, sheep and cattle.

Kenaf  has been known from Taiwan research at the Taiwan Agricultural 
Research Institute to produce between 38 and 82 tons per hectare in 
Taiwan.  Of course this is the result of allowing the plant to grow for 
its full 150 days, then harvesting the whole stalk.  We will be making 
succession cuttings  for more days in the tropics.  There is no estimate 
of the total amount to be cut versus one harvest.  But my feeling are 
that the more times you  harvest a hay crop, the more yield you obtain. 
 Of course it will depend on the cultivar planted, the skills of the 
operator, soil fertility, the amount of rainfall, the soil types and 
other production  factors.

Q.  Secondly, land is getting scarcer in these heavily populated 
countries and thus your kenaf production has to compete with food crops 
such as rice, cassava etc. At present we are teaching the farmers to use 
all the surplus starch crops for protein enrichment using fungi such as 
Rhizopus etc., which contain protein contents of 40-50%. Your kenaf not 
only competes with rice and cassava, but also with soybean, a very 
profitable crop. How competitive is your kenaf to these food crops ? 

A.  The difference between kenaf and soybeans is different in the kinds 
of products that can be developed from them.  Soybeans can be made into 
soy ink, diesel fuel, plastics, paper coatings, livestock feed, human 
food,  frankly most of  the items that petroleum can be used for.  The 
problems with soybeans is that they will not grow in many areas, they 
require inoculum and their meal, while rich in protein, does cause some 
problems in some monogastric animals.  And the productivity per acre is 
not nearly as high.  Kenaf is already preadapted to tropical countries, 
requires about 1/4 the work input of cotton, and produces a cut and come 
again product.  Kenaf  has it multiple uses that are just becoming 
important. 

Next to livestock feed, most likely the most important use of kenaf will 
be for NONWOOD paper to reduce dwindling forest and stop the cutting of 
tropical rainforest.  It is difficult for small holders to grown and 
process soybeans for livestock feed,  because it requires machinery. A 
kenaf grower can simply grow his product,  cut it with a machete, dry 
it, bag it and feed it to his animals at his liberty.  Or he can make 
baled silage from it, a much more succulent, tasty feed. or he can cut 
it every 30 days and feed it as is to his livestock fresh  chopped.  And 
each time you cut it, it comes back again.  Soybeans cannot do this.

Q.  Thirdly, soil infertility is an ever increasing problem in the 
tropical
countries because of the enormous rainfalls. Fertilizing is becoming a
very big problem because again of the enormous rainfalls washing the
minerals into the lagoons and changing marine life. Does your kenaf
residue replenish the soil with minerals like legumes or algae can do ? 
Soil infertility is a very big problem and will become much bigger. 

A.  There is no problem here.  One of the major  product areas being 
promoted for kenaf in the USA is its uses as a soiless media for growing 
bedding plants.  Here the ground kenaf serves as  a carrier for nitrogen 
for bedding plants.  However, in order to use kenaf extensively for 
outdoor land  soil fertility regeneration, composting it would be of 
value since freshly cut mature kenaf may deprive the soil of needed 
short term nitrogen ( this is old kenaf with low nitrogen content.  
Young high protein kenaf, with little lignin, mostly leaves, with no 
fiber in the succulent stalk part would possibly not cause this effect). 
 Another of  the major uses expected for kenaf in the USA is its use as 
filler in composting manure.  Manure disposal is a problem here in the 
USA  Kenaf core’s lightness will enhance the composting process.  Of 
course, if you want to grow high protein kenaf for soil fertility, it 
would be an excellent fertilizer.  Of course, kenaf erosion mats, made 
of nonwoven kenaf fabric, impregnated with seeds are used more and more 
by highway construction firms and highway departments to replant highway 
cuts, mined land and for steep hills for reseeding.

Q.  I also understand that kenaf (sorry I am not a botanist or 
agriculturist) has considerable ligniocellulose and cellulose component. 
Can one separate the protein-rich parts from the lignocellulose- and 
cellulose-rich parts easily. The latter parts could become an excellent 
feed for mushroom production. 
A.  I have not researched this area.  I suspect since we are dealing 
with young, succulent materials, there would be minimal lignocellulose. 
However, there has been some preliminary research on using used animal 
bedding ( up to 25% kenaf can be used in the bedding) and then using it 
for mushroom growth.    I can obtain a copy of a report from the 
University of Delaware if there is any interest

I will leave it by these few questions for now and look forward to your
answers. 
Best regards

Dr. Horst W.Doelle
Director, MIRCEN-Biotechnology Brisbane and the Pacific Regional Network
Chairman IOBB
Brisbane, Australia
Fax: +617-38783230
Email: H.Doelle@mailbox.uq.oz.au
===========================end of seminar questions

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE NEXT EDITION.

Dr. Carol Cross, Editor and publisher
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