Preliminary Investigation of the Adaptation of Some Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Genotypes in the Coastal Plain Sand of Niger Delta

A field trial was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm in Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria to determine the kenaf genotypes that are adapted to the area during the 2012 cropping season. The thirty genotypes were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates.

Results from this study showed that the genotypes differed significantly in terms of establishment and growth. The genotype NHC-39 had the tallest stands, NHC-14 had the highest number of established plants, NHC-14 was thickest in terms of stem girth, and NHC-25 had the maximum number of leaves, while NHC-16 had the highest leaf area per plant or foliar canopy. Evidence from the growth characteristics measured revealed that the following genotypes NHC14, NHC-16, NHC-25 and NHC-39 have the potential to survive and adapt to the Coastal Plain Sand area of the Niger Delta. The cultivation of these identified genotypes of kenaf is sustainable in the study area and is recommended as a part of the cropping system.