Seed yield in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as affected by sowing time in South Italy

With late May sowings, the crop produced a final dry biomass (>27 t ha−1) significantly greater than that obtained with the following sowings, which approximated 15 t ha−1 in late June-early July sowings. Seed yield was negatively affected by the shift of sowing time, decreasing from over 3.5 to less than 1.6 t ha−1 due to a cut in number of pods per plant. According to the results of this research, early sowings of kenaf are suggested in semi-arid areas of South Italy for both seed and biomass production, maximum seed yield corresponding to maximum biomass yield, and with this last achieved with sowings of late May. The identification of both thermal and photoperiodic requirements to achieve high levels of seed yield in kenaf may help to individuate areas of seed production other than South of Italy, where however similar climatic conditions must be ensured to the crop.