Growth and Chemical Characteristics of Kenaf in Korea

摘要

In Korea the main fibrous raw material resources available for papermaking are hardwoods and softwoods imported from foreign countries such as U.S.A. and Canada. Intensive researches of a potential fibrous raw material for papermaking in U.S.A. and other countries suggested kenaf as a promising alternative. To study the growth chemical characteristics of kenaf, kenaf was grown for 152 days at the experimental farm of Jinju National University, Kyongnam, Korea. The seeding, growth rate, fertilization, and structural characteristics as well as the cultivation and growth characteristics of kenaf, and the product usage were investigated. Kenaf base diameter ranged from 10mm to 42mm with an average of 28mm. Kenaf plant height ranged from 150cm to 480cm with an average of 350cm. The core fraction was 68.1% and bast fraction 31.9% by weight. The dry stem accounted for 73.5% and leaves 26.5% of total plant weight. The dry plant weight produced on 1 m~2 was 1,467g and about 1,052g of stem could be used for the commercial purpose. Fertilizer application increased the growth rate of the diameter at plant base and plant height. The fiber length of bast was 2.5 +- 0.4mm and that of core 0.8 +- 0.2mm. Holocellulose contents of both bast fiber and core material were 80.31% and 75.53%, respectively. Lignin contents of bast and core were 11.39% and 18.30%, respectively.