The weather patterns of the Southeast and much of the Midwest result in heavy rains during the winter months. Therefore, the dependence on a killing frost to desiccate kenaf has meant that commercial production has had to stand in the fields until Mar. or Apr. Several selections from the determinant stock senesce and die as early as the last week in Sept., however, yield is severely compromised. Evaluations are now being made to find lines that senesce closer to the frost date, so that dry-down time will be decreased and fall harvest may be possible. Indeed, cultivars show differential rate of dry-down after kill.
Investigations are under way to determine which cultivars reliably desiccate rapidly.
Efforts in Mississippi have focused on successful seed set, disease resistance, and dry-down time to avoid winter rains and late harvest. Currently there are nearly 300 lines in the Mississippi program that flower and set seed at 33deg. The best of these lines are being evaluated for yield and disease resistance at three locations in Mississippi. Release of germplasm and cultivars are expected in Spring 1997. Physiological maturity determination and germinability of kenaf seed.