Kenaf Malaysian Cultivation

Kenaf is an annual plant and a member of the Hibiscus family (Hibiscus cannabinus L. Malvaceae). It has a high growth rate and can reach a height of 3.7-5.S m with a stem diameter of 25-51 mm within 4-5 months in suitable temperature and rainfall conditions [24, 25]. Kenaf, a word of Persian origin, refers to a warm season, short-day and annual herbaceous plant. It is a dicotyledon, which represents three main layers in the stalk an outer cortical (or bast) tissue layer (phloem), an inner woody (called the core) tissue layer (xylem) and thin central pith layer [26]. 

It is the third world crop, after wood and bamboo, which has been introduced as a new annually renewable resource for industrial purposes [24]. Recently, kenaf is being explored as a useful raw material for a layer in papermaking [26], where previously it was used mainly for cordage, canvas and sacking [27]. 

Basically, kenaf has two distinctive stem regions the outer part, or so-called bast, constitutes around 34% of the weight of the stem and the inner, woody core is about 66%. The long bast fibers are usually used to produce paper, protective packaging, and composite boards and are also used in textile industries. On the other hand, the short fibers are used to manufacture products like animal bedding and horticultural mixtures [25]. 

Based on research findings about its technical and commercial potential, kenaf has been recognized as the new prospective crop of Malaysia. This is associated with its fast growing characteristics compared to other plants [27]. Kenaf was first introduced in 

Generally, some varieties of kenaf can be found in Malaysia. These types may differ in terms of color of stem, shape of the leaf, color of the flower and seed, as well as its suitability in different environmental conditions. Kenaf sp. V36 is a kenaf variety that is widely planted in Malaysia. It is formd to be the most applicable type of kenaf for commercial use [24]. H ng et al. have examined nine varieties of kenaf including the V36 type, especially in terms of their anatomical appearance as well as cell morphology [32]. They have found that all kenaf varieties have slight differences in their length, fiber and lumen diameter. The mean values of fiber length, fiber diameter and fiber cell wall thickness of V36-type kenaf are shown in Table 22.4. Recent data reported by Nayeri et al. [33] are comparable to those published by H ng et al. [32]. 

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Keywords Kenaf, Malaysian cultivation, sago stoch... 

A. Ashori, J. Harun, W.D. Raverty, and M.N.M. Yusoff, Chemical and morphological characteristics of Malaysian cultivated kenaf (Hibiscus caimabinus) fiber. Polym. Plast. Technol... 

H.P.S. Abdul Khahl, A.E IreanaYusra, A.H. Bhat, and M. Jawaid, Cell wall ultrastructure, anatomy, lignin distribution, and chemical composition of Malaysian cultivated kenaf fiber. Ind. Crops Prod. 31,113-121 (2010). 

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