GROUND STEMS OF KENAF (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) AS A BULKING COMPONENT IN GREENHOUSE GROWTH MEDIA
Kenaf stems were ground and sieved to yield fine (<2mm), medium (2 to 6 mm) or coarse (6 to 12 mm) grades. These grades were mixed at 25, 50 or 75% volumes in sphagnum peatmoss and then provided standard basal fertilization. Tomato and impatiens shoot fresh weights 4 weeks after transplanting (50 mg N.liter-1 daily liquid feed) were greatest in 25% medium kenaf, being 68 and 89%, respectively, those in peat-lite (ProMix BX). In a further study, medium kenaf was soaked for 3 days in 5000, 10000 or 15000 mg N.liter-1 from 20N-4. 3P-8.6K then mixed at 25% volume in peatmoss. Tomato seedlings transplanted into these media were provided 0, 100, 300 or 500 mg N.liter-1 daily liquid feed (LF) from 20N-4.3P-8.6K. With ≥100 mg N.liter-1 LF, soak solution concentration had no effect on shoot fresh weight. With 0 mg N.liter-1 LF however, kenaf media soaked in 10000 or 15000 mg N.liter-1 yielded greater shoot fresh weights than ProMix with 100 mg N.liter-1, LF.