However, if grown for fiber and pulp, a spacing of 30 to 46 cm ' 30 to 46 cm is used to reduce branching. Harvesting fruits may cause latent buds to develop thereby extending the growth period of the plant. This enhanced growth period coupled with higher applications of nitrogen could further increase the dry matter production of the plant, a desirable improvement. However, little information is available on the commercial production of roselle as a pulp crop. When roselle is grown for its calyxes, only half the recommended amounts of fertilizer for vegetables is applied.
Excessive ammonia encourages vegetative growth and reduces fruit production.
Therefore, increasing the rate of nitrogen application coupled with higher planting densities could be a method of utilizing the roselle plant as a pulp and fiber crop. The objective of this study was to determine the response of roselle to early applications of nitrogenous fertilizer. Five seeds were planted in 13 cm diameter polyethylene pot and thinned to one plant per pot two weeks after seedling emergence. The pots were arranged in a complete randomized design with split-plot arrangement of treatments and replicated four times. Plants showing any visible signs of water stress were supplied with added amounts of deionized distilled water.