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Review Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2637-8914/010
Chief Scientific Officer & Head, Planning, Training and Communication Division of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Manik Mia Avenue, Dhaka.
*Corresponding Author: Md. Mahbubul Islam, Chief Scientific Officer & Head, Planning, Training and Communication Division of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Manik Mia Avenue, Dhaka.
Citation: Mahbubul Islam. (2019) Kenaf (hibiscus Cannabinus l., Malvaceae) Research and Development Advances in Bangladesh: a review. J.Nutrition and Food Processing, 2(1); DOI: 10.31579/2637-8914/010
Copyright: © 2019. Mahbubul Islam. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Received: 02 September 2019 | Accepted: 04 September 2019 | Published: 16 September 2019
Keywords: kenaf; history; botany; cultivation; research and development; uses; future approach
Kenaf originated in India and Africa the plant is best grown in tropics and to some extent in sub-tropics. In Bangladesh, Kenaf is now a promising new fibre crop. Around 0.08-0.09million tons of kenaf produced in the country from 0.04 million hectares of land. The secondary data of kenaf used here were collected from different studies like national and international annual reports, thesis, books and journals during from January to July 2019. The plants are herbaceous annuals; growing to a height of even 5 m. There are some Kenaf varieties of bnagladesh, HC-2, HC-95, BJRI Kenaf-3(Bot Kenaf) and BJRI Kenaf -4 (KE-3). The commercial success of kenaf has important potential economic and environmental benefits in the areas of soil remediation, toxic waste cleanup, removal of oil spills on water, reduced chemical and energy use for paper production, greater recycled paper quality, reduced soil erosion due to wind and water, replacement or reduced use of fiberglass in industrial products, and the increased use of recycled plastics. In Bangladesh day by day demand of kenaf fibre is increasing. Kenaf uses in fibre, forage, paper pulp and also where kenaf is grown in home gardens, the more tender upper leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten either raw or cooked. Kenaf fruits have significant medicinal properties, very high in vitamin-C, antioxidants and phytochemicals. It’s seeds are a good source of fat slouble antioxidants. In future research to be continued for searching kenaf varieties tolerance to problem soil; tolerance to diseases and pests; having small seed size with long duration of seed viability and smoothness and indehiscence type of kenaf fruits.
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L., Malvaceae) is a warm season annual fiber crop closely related to White Jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) that can be successfully produced in mainly in India and China, followed by Bangladesh. As the commercial use of kenaf continues to diversify from its historical role as a cordage crop (rope, twine, and sackcloth) to its various new applications including paper products, building materials, absorbents, and livestock feed, choices within the decision matrix will continue to increase and involve issues ranging from basic agricultural production methods to marketing of kenaf products. These management decisions will require an understanding of the many different facets of kenaf production as a fiber, feed, and seed crop. It is an annual, non-wood fiber plant indigenous to central Africa. Akin to okra and cotton, kenaf grows to heights of 12 to 18 feet in a six-month growing season. Kenaf produces 5 to 10 tons of dry fiber per acre, consisting of external bast fibers (about 1/3 of the plant) and internal core fibers (the remaining 2/3 of the plant). Uses of the fiber range from paper, grass mats, fiberglass substitutes, animal bedding, oil-absorbent materials, chicken and cat litter, animal forage, particle board, and potting soil, to name a few. At present, in Bangladesh, so many areas are covered by Kenaf like, Bhrambaria, Voirab, Netrokona, vast areas of Kishoregonj; Laksmipur, Noakhali, Shriatpur, Madaripur, some sporadic areas of Tangail, Mymensingh and Jamalpur.
In Bangladesh, Kenaf [1] is a promising new fibre crop. Around 0.08- 0.09
million tons of kenaf produced in the country from 0.04 million hectares of land [1]. The name kenaf is of Persian origin and is most generally used to describe the plant Hibiscus cannabinus L. and the fibre. Miyake and Suzuta [2] compliled a list of 129 world wide names that have been given this plant. In India the common name in Bengal is Mesta; in Madras it is called palungi; in Western India and Taiwan it is known as ambari; in Bombay, decean hemp; in Andhra Pradesh it is known as Bimli jute or Bimlipatam jute; in Egypt and northern Africa it is varioyusly called til, teel, or teal; in Indonesia it is known as Java jute; in Brazil as papoula de sao Francisco; in South Africa, stokroor (“wild stock rose); in Wesdt Africa it is known as dah, gambo, and rama. Kenaf, (species Hibiscus cannabinus), fast-growing plant of the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae) and its fibre, one of the bast fibre group. It is used mainly as a jute substitute. The plant grows wild in Africa, where the fibre is sometimes known as Guinea hemp, and has been cultivated on the Indian subcontinent, where it is usually known as mesta, or ambari, since prehistoric times.
Kenaf was unknown in the West until late in the 18th century, when cordage and sacking made from the fibre were brought to Europe. It remained one of the less important bagging materials until World War II, when shortages of jute and other bagging fibres led to a new interest that continued after the war, as supplies of established materials remained insufficient and prices increased. In Cuba, the United States, and similarly affected countries, governments encouraged cultivation of kenaf, and production became increasingly mechanized. The plant is an herbaceous annual with stalks growing to about 18 feet (5.5 metres) in height and fibre concentrated mainly in the lower portion. The leaves are composed of five lance-shaped lobes occurring mainly near the stalk top; the flowers, pale yellow with purple centres, are borne on short stalks growing from the upper angles between leaf stalks and stems.
Kenaf, although adaptable to various soils, grows best in well-drained, sandy loam and requires a warm, moist climate, tropical or subtropical, without excessively heavy rains or strong winds. Some varieties need at least 12 hours of light each day throughout the growing season. Kenaf is less demanding on the soil than jute and may be grown in rotation with other crops. Dense sowing is common, except when cultivation is for seed production. Crops are hand-harvested, yielding the best fibre at the flowering stage. Fibres are usually separated from the stalks mechanically, although in some areas retting, followed by hand stripping, is still practiced. The fibre strands, about 3 feet (0.9 metre) long, are pale in colour and lustrous, with strength comparable to that of jute. Leading producers include India, Thailand, and China. Kenaf, still fairly new to international trade, is used mainly for cordage, canvas, and sacking but is receiving increased consideration for other products, such as newsprint and carpet-backing yarn. Studies begun in the 1950s demonstrated that kenaf, which reaches its mature height in less than six months, is easier to process, produces a higher yield, and has stronger fibres than plants grown for wood chips.
History of Kenaf
Kenaf has been used as a cordage crop to produce twine, rope, and sackcloth for over six millennia. Kenaf was first domesticated and used in northern Africa. India has produced and used kenaf for the last 200 years, while Russia started producing kenaf in 1902 and introduced the crop to China in [3]. In the United States, kenaf research and production began during World War II to supply cordage material for the war effort [4]. The war not only interrupted the foreign fiber supplies from countries such as the Philippines, but the US involvement in the war also increased the use of these fibers by the US. Once it was determined that kenaf was a suitable crop for US production, research was initiated to maximize US kenaf yields. Asa result, scientists successfully developed high-yielding anthracnose-resistant cultivars, cultural practices, and harvesting machinery that increased fiber yields [5; 6]. Then in the 1950s and early 1960s, as USDA researchers were evaluating various plant species to fulfill future fiber demands in the US, it was determined that kenaf was an excellent cellulose fiber source for a large range of paper products (newsprint, bond paper, and corrugated liner board). It was also determined that pulping kenaf required less energy and chemical inputs for processing than standard wood sources [7]. More recent research and development work in the 1990s has demonstrated the plant’s suitability for use in building materials (particle boards of various densities, thicknesses, with fire and insect resistance), adsorbents, textiles, livestock feed, and fibers in new and recycled plastics (injected molded and extruded) [8].
Habitat and Distribution
Originated in India and Africa the plant is best grown in tropics and to some extent in sub-tropics. Kenaf grow almost throughout the world both in tropical and temperate areas it is sensitive to frost. In India, kenaf is grown often as a border crop in garden areas where the soil is loamy and affords good drainage. It is grown mixed with most cereals in dry lands or as a pure crop. Kenaf is an important fibre crop in South India. It is cultivated as a rainfed crop in large areas in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is sown on the bunds of irrigation channels and in small patches in garden lands.
Kenaf Cultivation in Bangladesh
Geographical localization of the agricultural production area for Kenaf-varieties used in the Kenaf-based fiber composites value chain (Kenaf with sufficient quality for the fibre properties of tenacity, elongation and cleanness- please confer with NFC for the specific quality requirements). Agricultural production areas of Kenaf-varieties in Bangladesh are Brammanbaria, Voirab, vast areas of Kishoregonj; Lakkhipur, Shriatpur, Madaripur, some sporadic areas of Tangail, Mymensingh and Jamalpur.
The study was based on secondary information. The secondary data used were collected from different studies of the Library of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka during from January to June 2019. These secondary data were BJRI annual reports, different thesis, Books, Bangladesh Journal of Jute and Fiber Research, Jute and Jute Fabrics, Bangladesh (News letter) of BJRI and other national and international journals.
Botany of Kenaf
The plants are herbaceous annuals; growing to a height of even 5 m. the stems are straight, with small prickles: leaves alternate, stipulate, lobed and with serrated margins,stipules long and pointed: flowers solitary, with short pedicels and axillary, epicalyx stiff, consisting of seven to eight bracteoles: corolla larger, spreading pale yellow or yellow with crimson or purplish centre: stamens numerous on a staminal column: ovary superior, five carpelled: style passes through staminal column and terminate in five stigmatic branches: fruit capsule, five loculed each containing four to five seeds. It is mainly as self-pollinated crop. Kenaf is a short day, annual, herbaceous plant cultivated for the soft bast fibre in the stem. It belongs to the Malvaceae, a family notable for both its economic and horticultural importance [9]. The genus Hibiscus is widespread, comprising some 200 annual and perennial species [10]. Kenaf is closely related to cotton and the holly hocks (Althea sp.). A modified morphological description of the species from Bates [9] follows.
Stem: Erect, prickly, cylindrical, branched or un-branched reaching a height of 1 to 4m, either entirely green green with pinkish or raddish pigmentation, or red.
Leaves: Eigher entirely cordated and very shallowly lobed with serrated margins or 3-5-7 deeply palmate, alternate, stipulate, stipulates free lateral, pubescent 0.5 to 0.8 cm long. Petiole 3.0 to 18.0 cm long, finely pubescent on the adaxial surface and bristled on the abaxial surface, green to red, scabrous.
Lamina: Lobed or unlobed, when unloobed ovagte margin serrated, apex acuminagte, 5-7 nerved palmately reticulate, when lobed palmately 5-7 deep, each lobe lanceolate, margin serrated, apex acute, one green gland present on the mid-vein on the under surface, upper surface glabrous, lower surface hairy along with veins, scaberulous.
Flowers: Salitary, axillary, pedunculate, pednecle 0.2 to 0.4 cm long, bristled, pentamerous, 8.0 to 10.0 cm in diameter when open, yellow with red center or completely yellow, showy, bractoles (epicalyx) 7-9, segmented, linear, bristled, 1.0 to 1.5 cm long, green attached to the base of the calyx.
Calyx: Cepals 5, lanceolate, cornate below the middle into a cap, green bristled and tormentosed with a large green gland on the back of each sepal, persistent.
Corolla: Large, spreading, bell shaped, full yellow with or without deep enter, petals 5, free, very slightly united at the base twisted outer side pubescent, 7-9 cm long.
Stamens: Many monadulhous, stamined coluran epipetatous truincate, 2.5 cm long with glandular hairs, yellow or light red, filaments 0.1 to 0.2 cm long, red yellow anthers semiform, pollen spiny .
Carpels: 5, ovary ovoid, 0.7 to 0.8 cm long. Densely covered weith white silky adpressed hairs, 5, chambered with many ovules in each chamber arranged in 2 vertical rows stigma-5, hairy, capitate, red or yellow, exerted.
Capsule: Ovoid, pointed, villose, half of the length of the calyx with about 20 to 26 seeds.
Seed: Traiangular, angles more or less acute, ash gray with pointed light yellowish warty spots. Hilum brown, relatively small. Most of the better known kenaf varieties produce seed that range from 36000 to 40000 per kg.; however some Africand types from Sadan, Uganda abnd Central African Republic produce small seed that range from 100,000 to 110,000 per kg. Small seeded kenaf types have also been noted in Iran [11].
Climate
Kenaf cultivation requires specific climate and land. It requires early rains in March, May and June and intermittent rain and sunlight thereafter till August, temperature between 28°C and 35°C and humidity between 70% and 90%. This type of climate is available in areas between 30° Latitude North and South of the earth.
Soil
One of kenaf’s advantages as a crop, is it can be successfully grown in a wide range of soil types, from high organic peat soils to sandy desert soils. Although kenaf grows better on well-drained, fertile soils with a neutral pH, the crop can withstand late season flooding, low soil fertility, and a wide range of soil pH values. Kenaf also has shown excellent tolerance to drought conditions.
Identifying characters of different Kenaf varieties developed by BJRI in Bangladesh:
Kenaf varieties (Hibiscus canabinus L.)
HC-2 (Joly kenaf): HC-2 was released in 1977. Its stem green pigmented and petiole green, leaves simple cordated, petiole is longer than lamina. Fruit capsule ovoid, indehiscent, seeds subreniform grayish brown. Bright fibre. Medium to medium low land is suitable for cultivation. Seed sowing time mid March to mid April. Seed rate 12-15 kg/ha. Plant height 4.00 to 5.50 meter. Fibre recovery 7.3%. Time of flowering 150-165 days after sowing. Time of harvest 120 days after harvest or as per need. Yield 2.50-2.70 t/ha at Research station. The variety suitable for medium low, less fertile and flood affected land. Fibre is bright andshiny. Green plants are excellent raw materials for paper pulp. Tolerant to water logging [12].
BJRI Kenaf-2 (HC-95): BJRI Kenaf-2 was released in 1995. Its stem tall cylindrical, unbranched, whole plant deep green, Fibre bright. leaves lobed, the petal is light cream colour with very light pink tinge on the inner basal part of the petals. Fruit capsule ovoid, indehiscent, seeds subreniform grayish brown. Medium to medium low land. Loom or slightly clay to sandy loam are suitable for cultivation. Seed sowing time Mid March to Mid April. Seed rate 12-15 kg/ha. Plant height 3.50 to 4.00 meter. Fibre recovery 6.23%. Time of flowering 150-170 days after sowing. Time of harvest 120 days after harvest or as per need. Yield 2.80-3.30 t/ha at Research station. This variety is suitable for medium low, less fertile and flood affected land. Fibre is bright and shiny. Green plants are excellent raw materials for paper pulp, seeds contain about 20
There are so many kenaf crop varieties developed, released and used at farmer's level for commercial cultivation. All those varieties have high fibre and biomass yielding values. The kenaf fibre is snow white in colour same as white jute. In Bangladesh day by day demand of kenaf fibre is increasing. Kenaf uses in fibre, forage, paper pulp and also where kenaf is grown in home gardens, the more tender upper leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten either raw or cooked. Kenaf fruits have significant medicinal properties, very high in vitamin-C, antioxidants and phytochemicals. It’s seeds are a good source of fat slouble antioxidants. In future research to be continued for searching kenaf varieties tolerance to problem soil; tolerance to diseases and pests; having small seed size with long duration of seed viability and smoothness and indehiscence type of kenaf fruits.
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