Irrigation of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) in the Sudan

Summary

In one experiment during 1972 and 1973 five irrigation regimes of every 4, 6, 8 and 10 days and according to stomatal opening, as estimated by the infiltration method, were compared, using an early-maturing variety Zankawa and a late-maturing variety G51. In both experiments early crop growth was checked by the shortest and the longest irrigation intervals.

Late growth, on the other hand, was promoted by the shortest intervals in both seasons. Thus the highest yield in 1972 was obtained from the 4–day regime, followed by the infiltration method, then progressively greater yields with shorter intervals. In 1973, however, the shortest interval resulted in the lowest yield, which was significantly less than the other treatments, which showed a similar trend to those of 1972.

In a second experiment during 1974 and 1975 a medium-maturing variety 22/9/1 and a late–maturing variety 44/E were added to those of the previous experiment. Watering every 4 and 6 days were eliminated and watering every 12 days added, during the early growth period. Each of these regimes was given irrigation every 6, 8, 10 and 12 days during the late growth period. The early-maturing varieties yielded best when irrigated every 12 days in the early stages, and every 10 days in the late stages, whereas the late-maturing varieties yielded best when irrigated every 10–2 and 8 days in the early and late stages of growth, respectively.