Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Effects of particle size of kenaf core fibre on air-water relationships and development of Celosia plumosa

Author(s):

Siti Farhana Chuni ¹, Yahya Awang ²*, Siti Aishah Hassan ², Ahmad Husni Mohd Hanif ², Hanim Ahmad ³

Recieved Date: 2012-01-02, Accepted Date: 2012-05-03

Abstract:

This paper reports some aspects of physical properties of kenaf core fibre (KCF) of varying particle sizes (>3 mm, S1; 2-3 mm, S2; 1-2 mm, S3; <1mm, S4) and their effect on the growth of Celosia plumosa. KCF with particle size of <1 mm had the highest bulk density (BD) and it was significantly different from the BD of other sizes. All the four particle sizes showed differences in their respective air-water relationships at a given suction pressure, and therefore markedly affected the plant available water. KCF with largest particle size (>3 mm) drains more easily and held less water than any other size. On the average, KCF with particle size of >3 mm, 2-3 mm, 1-2 mm and <1 mm contained 6.1, 5.6, 8.5 and 13.5 mL of easily available water (EAW) for every 100 mL KCF. Total porosity (TP) was highest in S4 (<1mm) while air-filled porosity (AFP) was reduced from 24.25 to 12.63% as the particle size of KCF decreased from >3 to <1 mm. Different particle size of KCF markedly affected the growth of Celosia plumosa. Plants grown on S3 had the fastest growth rate as shown by their rate of increase in canopy diameter and flower length and accordingly accumulated the highest fresh weight. Results obtained here clearly showed that KCF derived from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) can potentially be used for a successful production of horticultural crops. 

Keywords:

Kenaf-core fibre, particle size, bulk density, easily available water, air-filled porosity, Celosia plumosa

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 861-865

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