Weeds that emerge with the kenaf are a problem in early growth, but can be controlled with Treflan, Sij says. Root knot nematode is a problem in sandy soils. Several airports use the kenaf product as an absorbent for spilled jet fuel on tarmacs. Kenaf encapsulates oil, and won't allow it to leach out, Bonvicini adds. Natural microbes on kenaf interact with indigenous microbes in oil to bio-remediate contaminated soil.
Microbial action is higher in warm climates.
Kenaf core that has been hammermilled absorbs as much as seven times its weight in light crude oil, says Dr. Marty Fuller, assistant director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Starkville. Mississippi has 19 scientists, from 15 disciplines, working at least part-time on kenaf. The emphasis is on product development. Petroexx opened a 30,000 square foot kenaf processing plant in Houston in August. The company has contracted to grow 750 acres enough to produce 4,000 tons of raw kenaf this year.