A simulation model of kenaf [Hibiscus cannabinus] for assisting fibre industry planning in northern Australia, 1. General introduction and phenological model
1992
Carberry, P.S. | McCown, R.L. (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Aitkenvale (Australia). Div. of Tropical Crops and Pastures) | Muchow, R.C. (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, St Lucia (Australia). Div. of Tropical Crops and Pastures) | Williams, R. (Queensland Dept. of Primary Industries, Yanco (Australia). Yanco Agricultural Inst.) | Sturtz, J.D. (Northern Territory Dept. of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Berrimah (Australia). Berrimah Agricultural Research Centre)
The duration from sowing to flowering is an important determinant of fibre yield in kenaf. Accordingly, the effect of temperature and photoperiod on the phenology of kenaf was examined. Data were collated from sowing-date experiments on kenaf cultivars Guatemala 4 and Everglades 71 at 6 locations in tropical Australia, ranging in latitude. Data from one site, Kununurra, W.A., were used to develop a model which described the duration from sowing to flowering in kenaf based on 4 stages: (1) sowing to emergence; (2) emergence to the end of the basic vegetative phase (BVP); (3) a photoperiod-induced phase (PIP) which ends at floral initiation; and (4) a flower development phase (FDP). Both kenaf cultivars responded as qualitative short-day plants where flowering did not occur above a critical photoperiod of 12.9 h. Assuming a base photoperiod of 12.0 h, the thermal time required to complete the BVP for the 2 cultivars was similar. However, photoperiod sensitivity during PIP, and the thermal time required for FDP, were greater for Guatemala 4 than for Everglades 71. Validation of the model against independently observed data for both cultivars at other sites resulted in close predictions in the thermal time required for flowering. This phenological model for kenaf can be used to assess the effect of sowing date on phenology at different locations in tropical environments.
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