Effect of Harvesting Time and Stem Height Position on Kenaf Bast Pulp Yield, Viscosity and Fiber Length
Wiwin Suwinarti and Kazuhiko Sameshima
Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University (Japan)
Kenaf variety Tainung-2 and Everglades-41 were planted in May 2003 and harvested at 80, 116 and 153 days after seeding. Kenaf bast fiber was treated by sequence treatments of ammonium oxalate, sodium hydroxide and acidic sodium chlorite (A) and acidic sodium chlorite, ammonium oxalate and sodium hydroxide (B). The agronomic characteristics, pulp yield, viscosity and fiber length were measured. The result showed pulp yield, viscosity and fiber length was affected by harvesting time. The pulp of 153 days after seeding gave much higher pulp yield and viscosity but shorter fiber length than those of 80 and 116 days after seeding. The higher stem position has lower pulp yield and viscosity but longer fiber length. This study also confirmed that the method A is the best method for high viscosity bast pulp production while the method B is the best method for fiber length preservation and higher pulp yield.
Keywords: Kenaf bast fiber, harvesting time, stem height position, pulp yield, viscosity, fiber length
(Japan TAPPI Journal, In Press)
