The major objective of the production research will be to discover the best possible combinations of plant variety and cultural practices that will
produce the highest yield and quality crop at the lowest possible production cost.
Yield in this context can mean yield of biomass, yield of a specific product, such as bast or core fiber, or yield of seed. Quality is herein defined as the optimum characteristics of plant properties needed for a specific end use.
Each geographic location where the crop is grown will have different characteristics, e. g., soil type, climate, length of growing season, seasonal difference in day lengths, and disease and insect
challenges.
Fortunately, we can draw on past research results because kenaf production research has been carried on by public agencies for a number of years, even though there is no activity at the
present time. Over the years, research by USDA and several state agricultural experiment stations has been carried on in Cuba and in a number of southern states in the United States. Considerable
research has been done on kenaf in a number of Asian and African countries where this plant has been an important crop for many years.
Following is a list of the types of research that will need to be
conducted.
1. A retrospective search of worldwide hemp and kenaf literature. This can be accomplished by using the CALS program of the USDA National Agricultural Library.
2. A search for all currently active hemp and kenaf research programs. This can be accomplished by accessing the database kept by FAO.
3. Varietal research
A. Accumulating and testing current kenaf varieties from domestic and foreign sources for adaptation, insect and disease resistance, yield and quality.
B. Initiating a hemp breeding program.
1. Varietal development
2. Basic research supporting varietal development, e. g., identification of desirable genes, in vitro gene transfer and
selection, plant regeneration
4. Cultural and production research
A. Seeding rates and dates
B. Row and plant spacing
C. Cultivation practices
D. Irrigation
E. Fertilizer, soil amendments
F. Herbicides, pesticides, biological control
G. Crop rotation
A planning meeting of all interested parties will be held upon passage of legislation pending, for details contact Tim Castleman at Fuel and Fiber Company.
Law enforcement representatives will be invited and their concerns addressed.
Fuel and Fiber Company proposes to oversee this research in cooperation with faculty and students of Arizona State
University-East, School of Agribusiness and Resource Management. The following experts will serve as consultants on the project.
Dr. Doug Wilson, Research Geneticist, Agricultural Research Service, United
States Department of Agriculture (ARS, USDA), Belle Glade, FL, 1957-1965: breeding and genetics of the fiber crops kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus, and sansevieria, Sansevieria spp.
Doug has many years of experience working with kenaf and is available to serve in a role as agronomist for this project.
Dr. Larry Jech, Tolleson, AZ In addition to extensive database and G.I.S.
development experience, Dr. Jech has also planted demonstration plots and conducted full-scale studies to identify best practices in the production of kenaf in multiple years and locations in Arizona. His
experience with kenaf spans over 6 years in Arizona. Dr. Jech will serve as assistant to Dr. Wilson for this effort.
Dr. Richard Gordon, Professor of Agribusiness, Arizona State University-East,
School of Agribusiness & Resource Management. Dr. Gordon has worked extensively in the Americas and the Far East on removal of technical, economic and regulatory barriers to the introduction of new crops and
processes. Much of his private sector experience has been concerned with enterprise development involving new and value-added products. He has worked for more than three decades in the optimization of animal
production with respect to such key factors as nutrition, genetics, environment, disease control and sanitation, involving livestock, poultry, and fish.
Most recently, Professor Gordon has been helping
develop the Resource Management program and has received significant support from EPA (Brownfields- assessment of environmental hazard from cross-border spills in Naco-Mexico); from EPA-Southwest Center for
Environmental Research and Policy and the Winslow Foundation (Border Woodlands Project-dealing with economically and environmnentally sustainable reforestation of the Mexicali Valleyin Baja California, Mexico,
being salinized by Colorado River flows from the U.S.) and from several mining companies (remediation and revegetation of mine tailings).
Dr. Dave West, Hemp expert, is currently conducting hemp trials in
Hawaii and may be available for limited consultation. Having successfully navigated the DEA permit process, his experience is invaluable.
Upon passage of legislation and secured funding, a
planning meeting will be held inviting these and other experts and interested parties to formulate and agree upon the course of action for this research effort. Fuel and Fiber Company will coordinate and host
this meeting and provide administrative services as needed. All interested parties will have opportunity for input and feedback to participate in these early planning stages.
Market & Processing Research Outline
