RESEARCH ON KENAF AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE CROPS AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
604	1720	1060	37%
604	2299	1060	63%

Progress 01/27/00 to 12/14/04

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? This research contributes to National Program 305, Integrated Crop Production and Protection Systems by evaluating the effect of different agronomic practices on the production and harvest of kenaf, medicinal plants and other value-added production practices, and research on both new and current varieties of kenaf, medicinal plants and other crops contributes to National Program 301, Plant, Microbial and Insect Germplasm Conservation. The research is accomplished through a Specific Cooperative Agreement with Mississippi State University with one agreement terminating in FY 2004 (results reported in 6402-21410-003-01S) and new agreement initiated to continue the research (results reported in 6402-21410-004-01S). Many small to medium-sized farmers are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the decrease in profits and low commodity prices. This project strives to provide Mississippi farmers with a profitable alternative crop to some of the crops currently grown in the region. Research supported by these funds are aimed at determining optimum agronomic practices for producing and harvesting kenaf and other alternative crops as well as to find new and profitable products made from kenaf fibers as well as other alternative crops. Prices for various crops being grown in the Mississippi Hill and Delta areas have been suppressed for the past 30 years and many farmers are finding it difficult to stay in business. Results from this research should enable many small to medium sized farmers to become profitable from growing and selling kenaf and/or kenaf based products as well as other alternative crops. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. This cooperative project has not undergone the formal Agricultural Research Service (ARS) peer review process; therefore, formal milestones are not available. However, the objectives are: 1) evaluate potential of new or medicinal crops for production in Mississippi, 2) develop practices for production and processing of new or medicinal crops, 3) evaluate commercial uses of kenaf fiber and production practices for kenaf, and 4) develop alternative uses of existing crops or agricultural products and byproducts in Mississippi. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Production of the anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin in Mayapply and Red Cedar will be investigated thoroughly. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 2. Lycopene production should be optimized in some tomato varieties. Milestone Fully Met 3. Castor oil will be investigated for use in biodiesel. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 4. Production practices for several cut-flowers along with marketing strategies will be developed to provide an attractive alternative crop for Mississippi farmers. Milestone Substantially Met 5. Alternative uses of sweet potatoes will be identified to provide value added products for Mississippi farmers. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 6. Organically vegetable crop production could provide Mississippi truck farmers with good yields and be economically feasible. Milestone Substantially Met 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? None, due to expiration of project. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Since the inception of the project in 1989, there have been 23 major accomplishments. Kenaf core has been used to make low density composites (15 lb/ft3) which have very good thermal and acoustical properties. Kenaf core has been used to make a potting media that performs as good and many cases better than premium commercial brands, thus renewable resource and has very good commercial potential. A device that decorticates whole-stalk green kenaf was developed, built, and tested and makes it possible to get fibers that can be stapled and blended with other fibers and then made into textiles. Kenaf bast fibers have been blended with cotton to make a textured yarn that has been woven into several types of fabric and clothes which have been entered into design contests and have won national awards. Kenaf bast fiber has been made into non-woven fabric for use under chairs, backing for wallpaper, seeded mats, and erosion mats. The non-woven mats were commercially produced by two plants in the U.S. and several plastic companies are investigating whether to use them in producing interior automobile parts. A growers guide has been printed and contains established agronomic practices that insure maximum kenaf yields for the state of Mississippi as well as variety selections that have increased kenaf yields by 3 tons/acre. This guide has been sent to thousands of farmers across Mississippi, the Mid- South, and the world. Machinery modifications and sequences were developed that can separate whole-stalk chopped kenaf into bast fiber and core fiber with fiber purities that range from 75% to 99 + %. Several separation plants in the U.S. are using this technology. A soilless sod using non-woven bast fiber mat has a root mass that is greater than conventional soil sod and it has been shown that two crops of sod can be grown in one growing season without destroying valuable top soil. A protocol to regenerate kenaf in tissue culture has been developed using leaf sections as starting material so it can be coupled with other DNA. Kenaf has been generated with resistance to zonate leaf spot disease, glufosinate (phosphinothricin-based herbicides such as Liberty), lepidopteran insects. Exploitation of this work could lead to more and better kenaf varieties, increased yields, and lower production costs. Seedling diseases in kenaf can be controlled with the use of triadimenol and carboxin_pcnb alone or in combination, thus increasing yields. Discovering that kenaf can remove odor and nutrients from livestock production wastewater has led to the design of a bioreactor system that can help swine farmers meet state or federal regulatory demands. Finding that kenaf core can remove some PAHs and PCP can lead to solving some of the contaminated soils and ground water that contain these pollutants. Dynamic headspace extraction followed by chromatography analysis indicated kenaf absorbed larger molecular weight molecules (benzaldehyde, dimethyl trisulfide, and P-cresol) more efficiently than it absorbed smaller molecular weight molecules (dimethyl sulfide). Results indicated kenaf does have odor absorption capacity, particularly for larger molecular weight components. While the concentration of dimethyl sulfide was reduced by kenaf 16%, the concentrations of benzaldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, and P-cresol were reduced 82%, 71% and 99%, respectively. These findings and their acceptance by industry could increase the demand for kenaf to replace activated carbon and thus make kenaf a profitable crop for the farmer. Kenaf producers must maintain at least a five to six ton per acre yield in order to realized a profit from farming. Nematodes can reduce kenaf yields by 50 to 85% depending upon infestation numbers. Six plants from germplasm from Kenya and Indonesia were to be resistance to nematodes equal to roselle (generally considered immune to nematodes). The incorporation of this genetic material into agronomically superior varieties will increase kenaf yield per acre, increase available acreage for production, and thus enabling the producer to generate a profit from his farming operation. Research accomplished in 2001 has shown that kenaf can be a useful in odor reduction; adsorption of TNT and DCP; and in being resistant to some pests and diseases; and mixed with plastic for automotive interior parts. Water quality indicated kenaf, a renewal resource can be an economical and effective alternative to activated carbon in treating contaminated ground wastewater while being environmental friendly. Chicken litter can be used to reduce nematodes, to raise hay, and used a source of nitrogen to raise cotton both in the conventional and non-tillage systems. Sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia can be grown and marketed in Mississippi. The anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin can be produced in Mayapple and Red Cedar and it appears that the lack of shade over the Mayapples increases podophyllotoxin production. Lycopene production is being optimized in tomatoes grown in Mississippi. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. A marinate solution and pre-cooking technique has been developed for beef pot roast and this system appears to have some commercial applications. Winter Rose poinsettias have been found to have a longer vase life, approximately two weeks or more, than most other cultivars thus, broken poinsettias or culled potted poinsettias have a good potential for sale as cut flower arrangements. It was also determined that consumers could be willing to pay up to $14.00 for a six stem arrangement, therefore, this finding may add significant income to floriculture producers in Mississippi.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.

Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? This research contributes to National Program 305, Integrated Crop Production and Protection Systems, by evaluating the effect of different agronomic practices on the production and harvest of kenaf, medicinal plants and other value-added production practices, and research on both new and current varieties of kenaf, medicinal plants and other crops contributes to National Program 301, Plant, Microbial and Insect Germplasm Conservation. The research is accomplished through a Specific Cooperative Agreement with Mississippi State University with one agreement terminating in FY 2004 (results reported in 6402-21410-003-01S) and new agreement initiated to continue the research (results reported in 6402-21410-003-02S). Many small to medium-sized farmers are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the decrease in profits and low commodity prices. This project strives to provide Mississippi farmers with a profitable alternative crop to some of the crops currently grown in the region. Research supported by these funds are aimed at determining optimum agronomic practices for producing and harvesting kenaf and other alternative crops as well as to find new and profitable products made from kenaf fibers as well as other alternative crops. Prices for various crops being grown in the Mississippi Hill and Delta areas have been suppressed for the past 30 years and many farmers are finding it difficult to stay in business. Results from this research should enable many small to medium sized farmers to become profitable from growing and selling kenaf and/or kenaf based products as well as other alternative crops. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. This cooperative project has not undergone the formal ARS peer review process; therefore, formal milestones are not available. However, the objectives are: 1) evaluate potential of new or medicinal crops for production in Mississippi, 2) develop practices for production and processing of new or medicinal crops, 3) evaluate commercial uses of kenaf fiber and production practices for kenaf, and 4) develop alternative uses of existing crops or agricultural products and byproducts in Mississippi. 3. Milestones: A. Milestones scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004: 1) Field establishment of medicinal herbs and determine the potential for commercial production. 2) Determine production practices, economic feasibility, and consumer acceptance of square watermelons. 3) Establish a viable organic vegetable crop production site in Mississippi and determine organic vegetable yields and economics of production. 4) Evaluation and production of castor as an oilseed crop for Mississippi. 5) Develop new uses for a portion of Mississippi's sweet potato crop to enhance profitability. 6) Develop and commercialize value added food products from muscadine grapes. 7) Increase lycopene concentration in commercial tomatoes grown in Mississippi. 8) Evaluate edible flowers as a potential Mississippi crop. 9) Controlling nematodes in cotton using poultry litter. 10) Develop omega-3 enriched channel catfish as a value- added Mississippi crop. 11) Evaluate fertilizer potential of chicken litter in no-till cotton production. 12) Evaluate field grown cut-flower production as an alternative crop in Mississippi. 13) Evaluate the adaptation of new alfalfa varieties for Mississippi. 14) Examine production of velvet in farmed Red deer and Fallow deer, develop a bioassay for measuring relative potency of velvet antler, and investigate current market in U.S. for velvet antler. 15) Develop a marinade and process to enhance the flavor of grass feed beef and create a marketing scheme for these meats and evaluate mechanical and chemical means to use on variable colored pork muscles to enhance there value. 16) Develop and implement an experiment to estimate consumer acceptance of freshwater shrimp and determine consumer attitude and preferences. 17) Evaluation of cold and heat tolerance of aquatic plants for water garden culture. 18) Determine efficiencies of new commercial machinery for separation of kenaf fibers. B. Milestones to be address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007) . What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? 2005 - Production of the anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin in Mayapple and Red Cedar will be investigated thoroughly. Lycopene production should be optimized in some tomato varieties and castor oil will be investigated for use in biodiesel. Production practices for several cut- flowers along with marketing strategies will be developed to provide an attractive alternative crop for Mississippi farmers. Alternative uses of sweet potatoes will be identified to provide value added products for Mississippi farmers. Organically grown vegetable crop production could provide Mississippi truck farmers with good yields and be economically feasible. 2006 - Identify species, cultivars, and cultural practices and develop production budgets for annual, perennial, and woody plants adapted to field production in Mississippi that yield flowers and floriculture products acceptable to regional and national markets. Collections of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) from the wild were propagated in the greenhouse. Cultivation of these medicinal herbs may develop into new alternative crops for Mississippi farmers. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. Harvesting velvet from farmed Red deer and Fallow deer and investigate current market in U.S. for velvet antler. 2007 - Strategies and efficiencies of bulk harvest and extraction, agronomics, and pests and pest control of mayapple and Eastern red cedar. Development of value added products from muscadine grapes will improve profits for Mississippi farmers. Effect of increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acid in farm raised catfish on the taste and palatability of catfish filets. Increase the products made from Mississippi raised sweet potatoes and find additional uses for chicken litter. Novelty watermelons could develop into a niche market appealing to Mississippi farmers and consumers. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2004 Pot roast cuts of beef were marinated and pre-cooked and then frozen. Sensory panels determined significant flavor and appearance over non- marinated roasts. Results suggests that utilizing marinating and cooking techniques can consistently provide value-added precooked beef pot roasts that are tender and flavorful, even from meats that are not generally considered acceptable for producing roast beef. These findings could produce considerable additional income for Mississippi beef producers. B. Other significant accomplishment(s), if any. Winter Rose poinsettias have been found to have a longer vase life, approximately two weeks or more, than most other cultivars. Thus, broken poinsettias or culled potted poinsettias have a good potential for sale as cut flower arrangements. It was also determined that consumers could be willing to pay up to $14.00 for a six stem arrangement, therefore, this finding may add significant income to floriculture producers in Mississippi. American mayapple is an herbaceous perennial found in wooded areas of eastern North America and is a source of the pharmaceutical compound podophyllotoxin. Research in cultivating this plant has determined that the amount of podophyllotoxin can be affected by shade treatments; this finding provides needed information to develop optimum cultural practices for commercial production of the mayapple. C. Significant activities that support special target populations. N/A 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project received a Congressionally mandated program increase of $180, 000 in FY 2001, all of which passed through to Mississippi State University under a Specific Cooperative Agreement. Research in the past had largely focused upon production and new uses in kenaf, a fiber crop. The research effort was expanded to develop alternative crops, learn how to manage them productively and profitably, and to increase the value of products of new crops. Specific objectives are: Expand opportunities to enhance profitability through the development of knowledge of alternative crops for the Mid-South, including high-value industrial and medicinal crops. The research is to include both production management practices and harvesting and processing technologies that add value to the products of these alternative crops. Since the inception of the project in 1989, there have been 23 major accomplishments. Kenaf core has been used to make low density composites (15 lb/ft3) which have very good thermal and acoustical properties. Kenaf core has been used to make a potting media that performs as good and many cases better than premium commercial brands, thus renewable resource and has very good commercial potential. A device that decorticates whole-stalk green kenaf was developed, built, and tested and makes it possible to get fibers that can be stapled and blended with other fibers and then made into textiles. Kenaf bast fibers have been blended with cotton to make a textured yarn that has been woven into several types of fabric and clothes which have been entered into design contests and have won national awards. Kenaf bast fiber has been made into non-woven fabric for use under chairs, backing for wallpaper, seeded mats, and erosion mats. The non-woven mats were commercially produced by two plants in the U.S. and several plastic companies are investigating whether to use them in producing interior automobile parts. A growers guide has been printed and contains established agronomic practices that insure maximum kenaf yields for the state of Mississippi as well as variety selections that have increased kenaf yields by 3 tons/acre. This guide has been sent to thousands of farmers across Mississippi, the Mid- South, and the world. Machinery modifications and sequences were developed that can separate whole-stalk chopped kenaf into bast fiber and core fiber with fiber purities that range from 75% to 99 + %. Several separation plants in the U.S. are using this technology. A soilless sod using non-woven bast fiber mat has a root mass that is greater than conventional soil sod and it has been shown that two crops of sod can be grown in one growing season without destroying valuable top soil. A protocol to regenerate kenaf in tissue culture has been developed using leaf sections as starting material so it can be coupled with other DNA. Kenaf has been generated with resistance to zonate leaf spot disease, glufosinate (phosphinothricin-based herbicides such as Liberty), lepidopteran insects. Exploitation of this work could lead to more and better kenaf varieties, increased yields, and lower production costs. Seedling diseases in kenaf can be controlled with the use of triadimenol and carboxin_pcnb alone or in combination, thus increasing yields. Discovering that kenaf can remove odor and nutrients from livestock production wastewater has led to the design of a bioreactor system that can help swine farmers meet state or federal regulatory demands. Finding that kenaf core can remove some PAHs and PCP can lead to solving some of the contaminated soils and ground water that contain these pollutants. Dynamic headspace extraction followed by chromatography analysis indicated kenaf absorbed larger molecular weight molecules (benzaldehyde, dimethyl trisulfide, and P-cresol) more efficiently than it absorbed smaller molecular weight molecules (dimethyl sulfide). Results indicated kenaf does have odor absorption capacity, particularly for larger molecular weight components. While the concentration of dimethyl sulfide was reduced by kenaf 16%, the concentrations of benzaldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, and P-cresol were reduced 82%, 71% and 99%, respectively. These findings and their acceptance by industry could increase the demand for kenaf to replace activated carbon and thus make kenaf a profitable crop for the farmer. Kenaf producers must maintain at least a five to six ton per acre yield in order to realized a profit from farming. Nematodes can reduce kenaf yields by 50 to 85% depending upon infestation numbers. Six plants from germplasm from Kenya and Indonesia were to be resistance to nematodes equal to roselle (generally considered immune to nematodes). The incorporation of this genetic material into agronomically superior varieties will increase kenaf yield per acre, increase available acreage for production, and thus enabling the producer to generate a profit from his farming operation. Research accomplished in 2001 has shown that kenaf can be a useful in odor reduction; adsorption of TNT and DCP; and in being resistant to some pests and diseases; and mixed with plastic for automotive interior parts. Water quality indicated kenaf, a renewal resource can be an economical and effective alternative to activated carbon in treating contaminated ground wastewater while being environmental friendly. Chicken litter can be used to reduce nematodes, to raise hay, and used a source of nitrogen to raise cotton both in the conventional and non-tillage systems. Sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia can be grown and marketed in Mississippi. The anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin can be produced in Mayapple and Red Cedar and it appears that the lack of shade over the Mayapples increases podophyllotoxin production. Lycopene production is being optimized in tomatoes grown in Mississippi. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. A marinate solution and pre-cooking technique has been developed for beef pot roast and this system appears to have some commercial applications. Winter Rose poinsettias have been found to have a longer vase life, approximately two weeks or more, than most other cultivars; thus, broken poinsettias or culled potted poinsettias have a good potential for sale as cut flower arrangements. It was also determined that consumers could be willing to pay up to $14.00 for a six stem arrangement, therefore, this finding may add significant income to floriculture producers in Mississippi. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? A company is currently pursuing the technology for producing soilless sod which is produced using a mat made from woven kenaf bast fibers. The decorticator has been produced by a commerical machine shop and we have had inquires from several countries about its use and production. Several Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) bulletins have been written and distributed to producers and extension personnel. The potting media formulation was published in a trade journal for producers to utilize. Design criteria and guidelines for the use of the bio-filter will be released in the near future. We are also currently working with both agricultural and environmental companies that are interested in the biofiltration work. The pre-cooked pot roast project has being taken to a commercial meat packing company and they seem to be interested in the marination and pre- cooking techniques. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Popular publications/presentations: Herring, J.L., Martin, J. M., Rogers, R.W. 2004. Marination and SousVide Cooking in the Production of Beef Pot Roasts. 57th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (poster presentation) Herring, J.L. 2004. Comparison of Grass-fed versus Grain-fed Selected Beef Muscles in the Marination and Sous Vide Cooking of Beef Roasts. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. (Ph.D. Dissertation) Leroux Romo, Maria J., Hood, K.W., Sloan, R.C. 2003. Production Cost for Selected Varieties of Cut Flowers in Mississippi. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 398:464-474. Manning, Bruce, Li, Menghi, Robinson, Edwin. 2003. Boosting Beneficial, Health Promoting Fatty Acids in Channel Catfish Fillets by Dietary Manipulation. Proceedings of 29th Fish Feed and Nutrition Workshop, University of California, Davis, CA. Martin, J.M., Herring, J.L., Rogers, R.W. 2004. Some effects of sous vide cookingon the production of value-added beef pot roasts. American Society of Animal Scientists Southern Section, Tulsa, OK. (presentation) Shankle, M.W., Tewolde, H., Garrett, T.F., Main, J.L. 2003. Chicken Litter as a Fertilizer in Conventional Tillage Cotton. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 405:167- 168. Shankle, M.W., Tewolde, H., Main, J.L., Garrett, T.F. 2003. Chicken Litter as a Fertilizer in No-Tillage Cotton. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 405:169-171. Shankle, M.W., Tewolde, H., Main, J.L., Garrett, T.F. 2003. Chicken Litter Rate Effects in No-Tillage Cotton. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 405:172-174. Sloan, R.C., Harkness, S.S., Hood, K.W. 2003. Cut Flower Production in Mississippi. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 398:372-463. Sloan, R. C., Harkness, S.S., Reel, K.L. 2003. Effect of spacing on sunflower production. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 398:475-478. Williams, J. Byron. 2004. The Comparison of Fat-Replacer Systems in Low- Fat Fresh and Canned Ground Beef Patties. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. (Ph.D. Dissertation) Scientific Publications: Bowers, S., Gandy, S.,Neuendorff, D., Dickerson, T., Mozisek, S., Randel, R., Willard, S. 2004. Assessments of velvet antler growth rates using digital infrared thermography in red deer stags. Journal of Animal Sciience, 81(1). Bowers, S., Gandy, S., Neuendorff, D., Dickerson, T., Mozisek, S., Randel, R., Willard, S. 2004. Assessments of velvet antler growth rates using digital infrared thermography in red deer stags. Journal of Dairy Science. 86(1). Coker, Christine, Knight, Patricia, Posadas, Benedict, Altland, James, Ely, Mike, Anderson, Mike. 2003. Poinsettia Potential: Postharvest Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance of Winter Rose as a Cut Flower. SNA Research Conference. 48: 526-529. Coggins, P. C., Kelly, R.A., Wilbourn, J.A. 2003. Juice yield of sweet potato culls. IFT Annual Meeting Technical Program. p. 265. (abstract) Cushman, K.E., Maqbool, M., Gerard, P.D., Bedir, E., Lata, H., Moraes, R. M. 2003. Variation of podophyllotoxin in leaves of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Planta Med. 69:477-478. Maqbool, Muhammad, Cushman, Kent E., Moraes, Rita M., Gerard, Patrick D. 2004. Overcoming Dormancy of Mayapple Rhizome Segments with Low Temperature Exposure. HortScience. 39(2): 307-311.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.

Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Mississippi farmers need profitable alternative crops. Agronomic practices are being produced for harvesting kenaf, as well as to find new profitable products from other crops. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Many small-to-medium sized farmers are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the decrease in profits and low commodity prices. This research should enable them to become more profitable from growing or producing new crops. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? This research evaluates the effect of different agronomic practices on the production and harvesting of kenaf, medicinal plants and other value- added production practices, which contribute to NP 305, Integrated Crop Production and Protection System (70%). Research on both new and current varieties of kenaf, medicinal plants and other crops contributes to NP 301, Plant Microbial and Insect Germplasm Conservation (30%). The research is accomplished through a Specific Cooperative Agreement with Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment: If kenaf is to become a profitable crop, more uses for kenaf fibers need to be developed. Kenaf fibers, both raw and ozonated were tested for their efficiency of removing pollutants from water and the spent kenaf was composted at the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. Ozonation of the kenaf fiber surface resulted in a fivefold increase in pollutant adsorption, and composting the spent kenaf resulted in complete removal of the adsorbed dichlorophenol and almost 80% of the kenaf mass was reduced within a few months. These findings and their acceptance by industry could increase the demand for kenaf to replace activated carbon and thus make kenaf a profitable crop for the farmer. B. Other Significant Accomplishments: Cut flower production can be a profitable alternative crop in Mississippi to increase income of agricultural producers. Several varieties of flowers generally sold as cut flowers were grown at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Verona, MS. Celosia is a species of flower that grows well in Mississippi and the `Benary Giant' Series of zinnia produced long stems of good quality flowers. Results from this study indicate that cut flower production could bring Mississippi growers from $13,000 to $27,000 per acre. Alternative uses for sweet potatoes, especially culls, grown in Mississippi are needed to make the crop more profitable. Sweet potatoes were ground into pulp then separated into fiber and juice which contains beta-carotene at the School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. When blended with other fruit and vegetable juices the sweet potato juice provides 4140 IU of beta-carotene per 100 g which is beneficial in cancer prevention and diabetes control. Consumer acceptance of these juices will provide a value added product for a commercially produced crop. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Since the inception of the project in 1989, there have been 20 major accomplishments. Kenaf core has been used to make low density composites (15 lb/ft3) which have very good thermal and acoustical properties. Kenaf core has been used to make a potting media that performs as good and many cases better than premium commercial brands, thus renewable resource and has very good commercial potential. A device that decorticates whole-stalk green kenaf was developed, built, and tested and makes it possible to get fibers that can be stapled and blended with other fibers and then made into textiles. Kenaf bast fibers have been blended with cotton to make a textured yarn that has been woven into several types of fabric and clothes which have been entered into design contests and have won national awards. Kenaf bast fiber has been made into non-woven fabric for use under chairs, backing for wallpaper, seeded mats, and erosion mats. The non-woven mats were commercially produced by two plants in the U.S. and several plastic companies are investigating whether to use them in producing interior automobile parts. A growers guide has been printed and contains established agronomic practices that insure maximum kenaf yields for the state of Mississippi as well as variety selections that have increased kenaf yields by 3 tons/acre. This guide has been sent to thousands of farmers across Mississippi, the Mid- South, and the world. Machinery modifications and sequences were developed that can separate whole-stalk chopped kenaf into bast fiber and core fiber with fiber purities that range from 75% to 99+%. Several separation plants in the U.S. are using this technology. A soilless sod using non-woven bast fiber mat has a root mass that is greater than conventional soil sod and it has been shown that two crops of sod can be grown in one growing season without destroying valuable top soil. A protocol to regenerate kenaf in tissue culture has been developed using leaf sections as starting material so it can be coupled with other DNA. Kenaf has been generated with resistance to zonate leaf spot disease, glufosinate (phosphinothricin-based herbicides such as Liberty), lepidopteran insects. Exploitation of this work could lead to more and better kenaf varieties, increased yields, and lower production costs. Seedling diseases in kenaf can be controlled with the use of triadimenol and carboxin-pcnb alone or in combination, thus increasing yields. Discovering that kenaf can remove odor and nutrients from livestock production wastewater has led to the design of a bioreactor system that can help swine farmers meet state or federal regulatory demands. Finding that kenaf core can remove some PAHs and PCP can lead to solving some of the contaminated soils and ground water that contain these pollutants. Dynamic headspace extraction followed by chromatography analysis indicated kenaf absorbed larger molecular weight molecules (benzaldehyde, dimethyl trisulfide, and P-cresol) more efficiently than it absorbed smaller molecular weight molecules(dimethyl sulfide). Results indicated kenaf does have odor absorption capacity, particularly for larger molecular weight components. While the concentration of dimethyl sulfide was reduced by kenaf 16%, the concentrations of benzaldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, and P-cresol were reduced 82%, 71% and 99%, respectively. These findings and their acceptance by industry could increase the demand for kenaf to replace activated carbon and thus make kenaf a profitable crop. Kenaf producers must maintain at least a five to six ton per acre yield in order to realize a profit from farming. Nematodes can reduce kenaf yields by 50 to 85% depending upon infestation numbers. Six plants from germplasm from Kenya and Indonesia were to found be resistant to nematodes equal to roselle (generally considered immune to nematodes). The incorporation of this genetic material into agronomically superior varieties will increase kenaf yield per acre, increase available acreage for production, and thus enabling the producer to generate a profit from his farming operation. Research accomplished in 2001 has shown that kenaf can be a useful in odor reduction; adsorption of TNT and DCP; and in being resistant to some pests and diseases; and mixed with plastic for automotive interior parts. Water quality indicated kenaf, a renewal resource can be an economical and effective alternative to activated carbon in treating contaminated ground wastewater while being environmental friendly. Chicken litter can be used to reduce nematodes and to raise hay. Sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia can be grown and marketed in Mississippi. The anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin can be produced in Mayapple and Red Cedar. Lycopene production is being optimized in tomatoes grown in Mississippi. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? 2004 - A new kenaf variety will be released. Through transgenic research we should develop kenaf varieties that are resistance to more insects, diseases, and herbicides. Production of the anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin in Mayapple and Red Cedar will be investigated throughly. Lycopene production is being optimized in tomatoes and ironweed oil is similar to sunflower oil. Production practices for sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia and marketing strategies will be developed to provide an attractive alternative crop for Mississippi farmers. 2005 - Study the long-term effects of (1) levels of shade, (2) severity of harvest, and (3) type of propagule on growth and yield of field- established plants Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). Collections of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) from the wild were propagated in the greenhouse. Cultivation of these medicinal herbs may develop into new alternative crops for Mississippi farmers. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. 2006 - Identify species, cultivars, and cultural practices and develop production budgets for annual, perennial, and woody plants adapted to field production in Mississippi that yield flowers and floriculture products acceptable to regional and national markets. Strategies and efficiencies of bulk harvest and extraction, agronomics, and pests and pest control of mayapple and Eastern red cedar. Effect of increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acid in farm raised catfish on the taste and palatability of catfish filets. Increase the products made from Mississippi raised sweet potatoes and find uses for chicken litter. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? A company is currently pursuing the technology for producing soilless sod which is produced using a mat made from woven kenaf bast fibers. The decorticator has been produced by a commerical machine shop and we have had inquires from several countries about its use and production. Several Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) bulletins have been written and distributed to producers and extension personnel. The potting media formulation was published in a trade journal for producers to utilize. Design criteria and guidelines for the use of the bio-filter will be released in the near future. We are also currently working with both agricultural and environmental companies that are interested in the biofiltration work. 8. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: This does not replace your peer-reviewed publications listed below). Willard, S.T., C.G. Brown, T.A. Strauch, D.A. Neuendorff, S.D. Browers, S. Gandy, K, Quagliana-Kelly and R.D. Randel. 2002. An evaluation of hand-held infrared thermography for determining velvet antler growth rates in rates in red deer stags. TAMU Overton Forage- Livestock Field Day Report (April 2002). Vol.2002-1: 99-100. Bowers, S.D., C.G. Brown, T.A. Strauch, D.A. Neuendorff, S. Gandy, R.D. Randel and S.T. Willard. 2002. Observational versus electronic methods for the detection of estrus in farmed red deer hinds. TAMU Overton Forage- Livestock Field Day Report (April 2002). Vol. 2002-1: 101-102. Cheng, Z., B.-R. Lu, B.S. Baldwin, K. Shameshima, and J.-K. Chen. 2002. Comparative studies of genetic diversity in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L. ) varieties based on analysis of agronomic and RAPD data. Hereditas 136:231-239. Meints, P.D. and B.S. Baldwin. 2002. Temperature effects on physiological maturity and seed development in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.). Pakistan Journal of Seed Technology 1(1):17-26. B.J. Rude, B.S. Baldwin, and K.C. Hanson. 2002. Performance and nutrient utilization of steers consuming kenaf, pearl millet, or dallisgrass. Journal of Animal Science 18:74-78. Willard, S.T., D.A. Neuendorff, A.W. Lewis and R.D. Randel. 2002. A comparison of transvaginal artificial insemination procedures for use in commercially farmed deer. Small Ruminant Research 44(2): 135-140. Vizzier-Thaxton, Y, G.W. Lawrence, and C.L. Balzli. Cotton Nematode Control by Boiler Litter. Poultry Science 80(Suppl.1): 55 (Abstr.) Sloan, R.C. and S. S. Harkness. 2002. Cut flower production in Mississippi. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture Forestry Experiment Station Bulletin 386:314-336. Baldwin, B.S., M.J.Fuller, K.L. Hensler, J.M. Goatley, and N.A. Reichert. Organic fiber mat based sod. United States Patent Office, Patent No. 6,357,176, dated 19 March 2002. Licensed 21 November 2002. T.N. Burcham, J.M. Jones, E. P. Columbus, and M.E. Zappi. Bast Medium Biological Reactor Treatment (BMBRTS) System for Remediation and Odor Suppression of Organic Waste Streams. United States Patent Office, Patent No. 6,436,288 dated August 20, 2002. Manning, B.B., M.H. Li, and E.H. Robinson. 2003. Supplementing practical catfish diets with refined menhaden oil boosts levels of omega- 3 fatty acids in fillets. Abstract in Proceedings of Catfish Farmers of America Research Symposium, February 21, 2003, Sandestin, Florida. Manning, B.B., M.H. Li, and E.H. Robinson. 2002. Feed supplementation with menhaden oil elevates n-3 HUFA in catfish fillets. Global Aquaculture Advocate 5 (2):42-44. Manning, B.B., M.H. Li, and E.H. Robinson. 2002. Making healthy food even better: ways to boost omega-3 levels in catfish. Feed Management 53 (1):21-24. Willard, S.T. 2002. Fallow and Red Deer Velvet Antler Research: New Methods for Evaluating Velvet Antler Growth and Quality. 2002 North American Deer Farmer's Association Annual Conference and World Deer Farming Congress III. pp. 129-135. Maqbool, M., Cushman, K.E., and R.M. Moraes. 2002. Propagule type and planting time for field-established mayapple. p. 533-536. In J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.). Trends in New Crops and New Uses. Proceedings of the Fifth National Symposium, New Crops and New Uses: Strength in Diversity. ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va. Moraes, R.M., H. Lata, E. Bedir, M. Maqbool, and K. Cushman. 2002. The American mayapple and its potential for podophyllotoxin production. p. 527-532. In J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.). Trends in New Crops and New Uses. Proceedings of the Fifth National Symposium, New Crops and New Uses: Strength in Diversity. ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va. Cushman, K.E., M. Maqbool, P.D. Gerard, E. Bedir, H. Lata, R.M. Moraes. 2003. Variation of podophyllotoxin in leaves of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Planta Medica 69:477-478. Sloan, R. C. and S.S. Harkness, K.W. Hood. 2003. Cut flower production in Mississippi. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin 398:372-463. Sloan, R. C., S.S. Harkness, and K.L. Reel. 2003. Effect of spacing on sunflower production. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research Extension Center, Mississippi Agriculture Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin 398:475-478. Romo Leroux, M.J., K.W. Hood, and R.C. Sloan. 2003. Selected Budgets for Cut Flower Production in Mississippi. Annual Research Report of the North Mississippi Research Extension Center. Mississippi Agriculture Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin 398:464-474.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.

Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Mississippi farmers need profitable alternative crops. Agronomic practices are being produced for harvesting kenaf, as well as to find new profitable products from other crops. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Many small-to medium-sized farmers are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the decrease in profits and low commodity prices. This research should enable them to become more profitable from growing or producing new crops. 3. How does it relate to the national Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? This research evaluates the effect of different agronomic practices on the production and harvesting of kenaf, medicinal plants and other value- added production practices, which contribute to NP 305, Integrated Crop Production and Protection System (70%). Research on both new and current varieties of kenaf, medicinal plants and other crops contributes to NP 301, Plant, Microbial and Insect Germplasm Conservation (30%). The research is accomplished through a Specific Cooperative Agreement with Mississippi Agricultural and Forestsry Experiment Station. 4. What was your most significant accomplishment this past year? A. Dynamic headspace extraction followed by gas chromatography analysis indicated kenaf absorbed larger molecular weight molecules (benzaldehyde, dimethyl trisulfide, and P-cresol) more efficiently than it absorbed smaller molecular weight molecules (dimethyl sulfide. Results indicated kenaf does have odor absorption capacity, particularly for larger molecular weight components. While the concentration of dimethyl sulfide was reduced by kenaf 16%, the concentrations of benzaldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, and P-cresol were reduced 82%, 71% and 99%, respectively. These findings and their acceptance by industry could increase the demand for kenaf to replace activated carbon and, thus, make kenaf a profitable crop for the farmer. B. Other Significant Accomplishments: Kenaf producers must maintain at least a five to six ton per acre yield in order to realize a profit from farming. Nematodes can reduce kenaf yields by 50 to 85% depending upon infestation numbers. Six plants from germplasm from Kenya and Indonesia were to be resistance to nematodes equal to roselle (generally considered immune to nematodes). The incorporation of this genetic material into agronomically superior varieties will increase kenaf yield per acre, increase available acreage for production, and thus enable the producer to generate a profit from the farming operation. C. Other Significant Accomplishments: None D. Progress Report Research accomplished in 2001 has shown that kenaf can be useful in odor reduction; adsorption of TNT and DCP; resistant to some pests and diseases; and mixed with plastic for automotive interior parts. Water quality indicated kenaf, a renewable resource, can be an economical and effective alternative to activated carbon in treating contaminated ground wastewater while being environmentally friendly. Chicken litter can be used to reduce nematodes and to raise hay. Sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia can be grown and marketed in Mississippi. The anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin can be produced in Mayapple and Red Cedar. Lycopene production is being optimized in tomatoes and ironweed oil is similar to sunflower oil. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. 5. Describe your major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact? Since the inception of the project in 1989, there have been 14 major accomplishments. Kenaf core has been used to make low density composites (15 lb/ft3) which have very good thermal and acoustical properties. Kenaf core has been used to make a potting media that performs as good and, in many cases, better than premium commercial brands, thus a renewable resource with very good commercial potential. A device that decorticates whole-stalk green kenaf was developed, built, and tested; the device makes it possible to get fibers that can be stapled and blended with other fibers and then made into textiles. Kenaf bast fibers have been blended with cotton to make a textured yarn that has been woven into several types of fabric and clothes which have been entered into design contests and have won national awards. Kenaf bast fiber has been made into non-woven fabric for use under chairs, backing for wallpaper, seeded mats, and erosion mats. The non-woven mats were commercially produced by two plants in the U.S. and several plastic companies are investigating whether to use them in producing interior automobile parts. A growers guide has been printed and contains established agronomic practices that insure maximum kenaf yields for the State of Mississippi, as well as variety selections that have increased kenaf yields by 3 tons/acre. This guide has been sent to thousands of farmers across Mississippi, the Mid-South, and the world. Machinery modifications and sequences were developed that can separate whole-stalk chopped kenaf into bast fiber and core fiber with fiber purities that range from 75% to 99+%. Several separation plants in the U.S. are using this technology. A soil-less sod using non-woven bast fiber mat has a root mass that is greater than conventional soil sod and it has been shown that two crops of sod can be grown in one growing season without destroying valuable top soil. A protocol to regenerate kenaf in tissue culture has been developed using leaf sections as starting material so it can be coupled with other DNA. Kenaf has been generated with resistance to zonate leaf spot disease, glufosinate (phosphinothricin-based herbicides such as Liberty), and lepidopteran insects. Exploitation of this work could lead to more and better kenaf varieties, increased yields, and lower production costs. Seedling diseases in kenaf can be controlled with the use of triadimenol and carboxin-pcnb alone or in combination, thus increasing yields. Discovering that kenaf can remove odor and nutrients from livestock production wastewater has led to the design of a bioreactor system that can help swine farmers meet state or federal regulatory demands. Finding that kenaf core can remove some PAHs and PCP can lead to solving some of the contaminated soils and ground water that contain these pollutants. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? 2003 - A pilot project of the bio-filter using whole stalk kenaf is being built at a commercial swine farm to eliminate odor and nutrients from swine effluent. This system will not only help large swine producers meet regulatory mandates, but it will also reduce lagoon sizes, thus saving producers money. The used kenaf will be composted to produce a value added product. Using the kenaf bio-filter will allow the producers to grow their own renewable filter material. Chicken litter can be used to reduce nematodes and to raise hay. Recommendations for amounts and timing will be developed to use the litter as a soil amendment to reduce the need for nematocides. 2004 - A new kenaf variety will be released. Through transgenic research we should develop kenaf varieties that are resistant to more insects, diseases, and herbicides. Production of the anti-cancer agent podophyllotoxin in Mayapple and Red Cedar will be investigated thoroughly. Lycopene production is being optimized in tomatoes and ironweed oil is similar to sunflower oil. Production practices for sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia and marketing strategies will be developed to provide an attractive alternative crop for Mississippi farmers. 2005 - Study the long-term effects of (1) levels of shade, (2) severity of harvest, and (3) type of propagule on growth and yield of field- established plants Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). Collections of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) from the wild were propagated in the greenhouse. Cultivation of these medicinal herbs may develop into new alternative crops for Mississippi farmers. These uses of kenaf, flowers, chicken litter, and other alternative or medicinal crops can be valuable resources for the Mississippi farmers looking for additional cash crops. 7. What technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer other scientist)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption durability of the technology? The decorticator has been produced by a commerical machine shop and we have had inquiries from several countries about its use and production. Several Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Bulletins have been written and distributed to producers and Extension personnel. The potting media formulation was published in a trade journal for producers to utilize. Design criteria and guidelines for the use of the bio-filter will be released in the near future. We are also currently working with both agricultural and environmental companies that are interested in the biofiltration work. 8. List your most important publications and presentations, and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your review publications which are listed below) Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation of an Attached Growth Organic Media Bioreactor for Swine Waste Treatment and Odor Abatement. Master's Thesis. 2001. Burcham, T.N., Kirkpatrick, A.P., Zappi, M.E. Organic Medium Bioreactor for Swine Wastewater Treatment and Odor Reduction. Proceedings of the International Symnposium on Animal Production/Environmental Issues. 2001. p. 111. Kirkpatrick, A.P., Burcham, T.N., Zappi, M.E., Columbus, E.P. Evaluation of a Pilot-Scale Swine Odor Reduction Bioreactor System. ASAE International Meeting, Sacramento, CA. ASAE Paper No. 01-2285. 2001. p.15. Sullivan, P. "Consumer Attitudes Toward and Acceptance of Golden Rice and Other Genetically Engineered in Foods". Masters of Agribusiness Management, Final Project. 2001. Baldwin, B.S., Goatley, J.M., Fuller, M.J., Reicher, N.A., Hensler, K.L. Organic fiber mat based sod. US Patent. 2001. Maqbool, M., Cushman, K.E., Moraes, R.M. Potential for field establishment of Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) for commercial production. American Society of Horticultural Science Southern Region 61st Annual Meeting. Horticultural Science.2001. v.36. Abstract p. 843- 844. Cushman, K.E., Maqbool, M., Morases, R. Type of propagule and time of planting affect first year growth of field-established mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops and American Society of Horticultural Science. Proceedings of the 5th National Symposium. New Crops and New Uses: Strength in Diversity. 2002. p. 118. Maqbool, M., Cushman, K.E., Moraes, R.M. Mayapple: a review of the literature from a horticultural perspective. MAFES Information Bulletin 375. 2000 Annual Reports of the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center. 2001. p. 313-319. Hensler, K.L., Baldwin, B.S., Goatley, Jr, J.M. Comparing seeded organic- fiber mat with direct soil seeding for warm season turfgrass establishment. Horticultural Technology. 2001. p. 243-248.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.

Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Mississippi farmers need profitable alternative crops. Agronomic practices are being produced for harvesting kenaf as well as to find new profitable products from other crops. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Many small-to medium-sized farmers are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the decrease in profits and low commodity prices. This research should enable them to become more profitable from growing or producing new crops. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Component(s)? This research evaluates the effect of different agronomic practices on the production and harvesting of kenaf, which contribute to the Integrated Crop Production and Protection System, 305 (70%). Research on both new and current varieties of kenaf contribute to Plant, Microbial and Insect Germplasm Conservation, 301 (30%). 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Odors and nutrients associated with livestock production, particularly swine production, has become a steadily increasing problem in Mississippi, as well as other locations in the nation. A pilot-scale Swine Odor Reduction Bioreactor System which uses whole stalk kenaf to treat swine wastewater was tested in a swine rearing facility on the campus of Mississippi State University using the commercial stocking rate of 10 ft2 per pig. Results showed that: chemical oxygen demand was reduced by about 50%, volatile acids were reduced by about 80%, phenols were reduced by 75%, and ammonia and ortho-P was reduced by 31% and 70%, respectively; also the odor was changed from an intense fecal to a pronounced earthy odor. Water quality and olfactory data indicated kenaf, a renewal resource can be an economical and effective alternative to conventional attached growth media wastewater treatments, thus increasing producer profits while being environmentally friendly. B. None C. None 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project including their predicted or actual impact. This project started 1/27/2000, and is an extension of a previous project started in 1989. The project was expanded in FY2001 to include medicinal plants and other value-added products. Since the inception of the prior project, there have been twelve major accomplishments. Kenaf core has been used to make low density composites (15 lb/ft3) which have very good thermal and acoustic properties. Kenaf core has been used to make a potting media that performs as good, and in many cases, better than premium commercial brands, thus a renewable resource with very good commercial potential. A device that decorticates whole-stalk green kenaf was developed, built, and tested that makes it possible to get fibers that can be stapled and blended with other fibers to be made into textiles. Kenaf bast fibers have been blended with cotton to make a textured yarn that has been woven into several types of fabric and clothes which have been entered into design contests and have won national awards. Kenaf bast fiber has been made into non-woven fabric for use under chairs, backing for wallpaper, seeded mats, and erosion mats. The non-woven mats were commercially produced by two plants in the U.S. and several plastic companies are investigating whether to use them in producing interior automobile parts. A growers guide has been printed and contains established agronomic practices that ensure maximum kenaf yields for the State of Mississippi as well as variety selections that have increased kenaf yields by 3 tons/acre. This guide has been sent to thousands of farmers across Mississippi, the Mid-South, and the world. Machinery modifications and sequences were developed that can separate whole-stalk chopped kenaf into bast fiber and core fiber with fiber purities that range from 75% to 99 + %. Several separation plants in the U.S. are using this technology. A soil-less sod using non-woven bast fiber mat has a root mass that is greater than conventional soil sod and it has been shown that two crops of sod can be grown in one growing season without destroying valuable top soil. A protocol to regenerate kenaf in tissue culture has been developed using leaf sections as starting material so it can be coupled with other DNA. Kenaf has been generated with resistance to zonate leaf spot disease, glufosinate (phosphinothricin-based herbicides such as Liberty), and lepidopteran insects. Exploitation of this work could lead to more and better kenaf varieties, increased yields, and lower production costs. Seedling diseases in kenaf can be controlled with the use of triadimenol and carboxin-pcnb alone or in combination, thus increasing yields. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? Over the next three years we will release at least one new kenaf variety. Development of a new harvesting regime that will allow an earlier harvest date is currently being researched. This will allow better yields and less lost time due to inclement weather. A bio-filter using whole stalk kenaf to eliminate odor and nutrients from swine effluent is currently being tested. This system will not only help large swine producers meet regulatory mandates, it will reduce lagoon sizes and thus save producers money, and the used kenaf will be composted to produce a value-added product. Using the kenaf bio-filter will allow the producers to grow their own renewable filter material. Research is being conduced on adding kenaf bast and core fibers to several plastics. Using kenaf fibers in plastics could eliminate the need for other fibers such as glass or rock wool. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints if known, to the adoption & durability of the technology product? The decorticator has been produced by a commercial machine shop and we have had inquiries from several countries about its use and production. Several Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) bulletins have been written and distributed to producers and extension personnel. The potting media formulation was published in a trade journal for producers to utilize. Design criteria and guidelines for the use of the bio-filter will be released in the near future. Formulations for mixing kenaf fibers with plantains are currently being investigated and will be released in the near future. We are currently working with several companies that are interested in the work. 8. List your most important publications in the popular press (no abstracts) and presentations to non-scientific organizations and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your peer-reviewed publications which are listed below) Baldwin, B.S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2001. p.49-53. Barham, D.F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.18-21. Boyd, C.R. Kenaf: a natural for 21st century. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. Abstract p.182. Boyd, C.R., Ramaswamy, G. N., Soeharto, B. Soeharto. Flame retardant and wrinkle resistance finish on kenaf blend fabric. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. Abstract. P. 181. Cossar, R.D., Mosley, J. W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.22-25. Graham, J. W., Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.15-17. Jones, J.M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.127-136. Jones, J.M, Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Zappi, M.E. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. Proceeding of the 30th Mississippi Water Resources Conference. 2000. p.26-44. Jones, J.M. Preliminary comparison of inert and organic attached growth bioreactor media for odor reduction and wastewater treatment in animal feeding operations. M.S. Thesis. 2000. Mississippi State University. 216 p. Kirkpatrick, A.P., Burcham, T.N., Zappi, M.E., Nguyen, A.T. Pilot-Scale Swine Odor Reduction Bioreactor System. Proceeding of the 30th Mississippi Water Resources Conference. 2000. p.45-63. Maqbool, M., Cushman, K.E., Moraes, R.M. 2001. Mayapple: a review of the literature from a horticultural perspective. Annual Report of the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Information Bulletin. 375. p. 313-319. Meints, P.D., Smith, C.A. The role of plant growth regulators in the germination of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.). Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.175-176. Mosley, J. W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.26-29. Pearce, R.J., Sellers, Jr. J. Five different agro-based particle boards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.107-111. Shmulsky, F.M., Diehl, S.V., Borajzani, H. Biofiltration of alpha-pinene by microorganisms on bark & core matrices. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. Abstract. p.155. Vadhwa, N., Losure, N. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Meeting of the American Kenaf Society. 2000. p.84-106.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.

Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00

Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Mississippi farmers need a profitable alternative crop. Agronomic practices are being produced for harvesting kenaf as well as to find new profitable products from other crops. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Many small to medium sized farmers are finding it difficult to remain in business due to the decrease in profits. This research should enable them to become profitable from growing or producing new crops. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Component(s)? This research evaluates the effect of different agronomic practices on the production and harvesting of kenaf, which contribute to the Integrated Crop Production and Protection System, 305 (70 percent). Research on both new and current varieties of kenaf contribute to Plant, Microbial and Insect Germplasm Conservation, 301 (30 percent). 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment: Release of swine wastewater enriched with nutrients and odor is an increasing problem in Mississippi as well as other locations in the nation. Whole stalk kenaf was used to treat swine wastewater on the campus of Mississippi State University for 48 hours. Results showed that: total solids being reduced by 67%, 5-day biological oxygen demand reduced by 93%, chemical oxygen demand reduced by 95%, and volatile solids reduced by 81%; also the odor was changed from an intense fecal to a pronounced earthy odor. Water quality and olfactory data indicated kenaf, a renewal resource can be an economical and effective alternative to conventional attached growth media wastewater treatments, thus increasing producer profits while being environmental friendly. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s) Nematodes can reduce kenaf yields by 50 to 85% depending upon infestation numbers. One hundred and forty germplasm lines were planted in nematode infested soil at Mississippi State University and then screened for resistance. From this germplasm we discovered four plants with resistance to nematodes equal to roselle (generally considered immune to nematodes). The incorporation of this genetic material into agronomically superior varieties will increase kenaf yield and available acreage for production. For kenaf to become a viable alternative crop, we need to maximize yields which could increase returns for the farmer. Two varieties of kenaf were subjected to four row spacings and four plant populations, in all possible variations at two Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station locations. Results clearly indicated that population density did not affect yield, however, row spacing clearly affected yield with the 14 inch row spacing yielding 30% more than the others. These results can increase yields per unit area making kenaf more profitable to the producer. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project including their predicted or actual impact. This project started 1/27/2000 and is an extension of a previous project started in 1989. Since the inception of the prior project there have been twelve major accomplishments. Kenaf core has been used to make low density composites (15 lb/ft3) which have very good thermal and acoustic properties. Kenaf core has been used to make a potting media that performs as good, and in many cases, better than premium commercial brands, thus a renewable resource and has very good commercial potential. A device that decorticates whole-stalk green kenaf was developed, built, and tested and makes it possible to get fibers that can be stapled and blended with other fibers and then made into textiles. Kenaf bast fibers have been blended with cotton to make a textured yarn that has been woven into several types of fabric and clothes which have been entered into design contests and have won national awards. Kenaf bast fiber has been made into non-woven fabric for use under chairs, backing for wallpaper, seeded mats, and erosion mats. The non-woven mats were commercially produced by two plants in the U.S. and several plastic companies are investigating whether to use them in producing interior automobile parts. A growers guide has been printed and contains established agronomic practices that insure maximum kenaf yields for the state of Mississippi as well as variety selections that have increased kenaf yields by 3 tons/acre. This guide has been sent to thousands of farmers across Mississippi, the Mid-South, and the world. Machinery modifications and sequences were developed that can separate whole-stalk chopped kenaf into bast fiber and core fiber with fiber purities that range from 75% to 99 + %. Several separation plants in the U.S. are using this technology. A soilless sod using non-woven bast fiber mat has a root mass that is greater than conventional soil sod and it has been shown that two crops of sod can be grown in one growing season without destroying valuable top soil. A protocol to regenerate kenaf in tissue culture has been developed using leaf sections as starting material so it can be coupled with other DNA. Kenaf has been generated with resistance to zonate leaf spot disease, glufosinate (phosphinothricin-based herbicides such as Liberty), and lepidopteran insects. Exploitation of this work could lead to more and better kenaf varieties, increased yields, and lower production costs. Seedling diseases in kenaf can be controlled with the use of triadimenol and carboxin-pcnb alone or in combination, thus increasing yields. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? Over the next three years we will release at least one new kenaf variety. Through transgenic research we should develop kenaf that is resistance to more insects, diseases, and herbicides. Development of a new harvesting regime that will allow an earlier harvest date is currently being researched, this will allow better yields and less lost time due to inclement weather. A bio-filter using whole stalk kenaf to eliminate odor and nutrients from swine effluent is currently being tested. This system will not only help large swine producers meet regulatory mandates, it will reduce lagoon sizes and thus save producers money, and the used kenaf will be composted to produce a value added product. Using the kenaf bio-filter will allow the producers to grow their own renewable filter material. Research is being conducted on adding kenaf bast and core fibers to several plastics. Using kenaf fibers in plastics could eliminate the need for other fibers such as glass or rock wool. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints if known, to the adoption & durability of the technology product? The decorticator has been produced by a commerical machine shop and we have had inquires from several countries about its use and production. Several Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) bulletins have been written and distributed to producers and extension personnel. The potting media formulation was published in a trade journal for producers to utilize. Design criteria and guidelines for the use of the bio-filter will be released in the near future. Formulations for mixing kenaf fibers with plastics are currently being investigated and will be released in the near future. We are currently working with several companies that are interested in the work. 8. List your most important publications in the popular press (no abstracts) and presentations to non-scientific organizations and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your peer-reviewed publications which are listed below) Jones, Jeffrey M., Burcham, T.N., Cadwallader, K.R., and Columbus, E.P. Swine Odor Reducion Bioreactor System (SORBS). Mississippi Water Environment Federation Meeting, Oral Presentation, Jackson, MS. 1999.

Impacts
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Publications

Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.
Graham, J.Wesley, Baldwin, B.S. A summary of the effects of plant population and row spacing on biomass yield and bast turnout. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.15-17.
Barham, David F., Stanley, C.E., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Use of pyrithiobac in kenaf: is it an option for narrow-row weed control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.18-21.
Cossar, Robert D., Mosley, J.W., Baldwin, B.S. Mepiquat chloride for stalk height control. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.22-25.
Mosley, Jeffery W., Baldwin, B.S. No-till kenaf production and yields. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.26-29.
Baldwin, Brian S. Growing kenaf on a commercial scale in Mississippi. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.49-53.
Soria, Sonia A. Ramaswamy, G.N. Effects of chemical softening agents and durable press finishes on the aesthetics and hand of kenaf/cotton fabric: a preliminary report. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.73-77.
Vadhwa, Naveen, Losure, N.S. Properties of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.84-106.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Pearce, R. Jeff, Sellers, T., Jr. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.107-111.
Ramaswamy, Gita N., Wang, J. One step processing and bleaching of mechanically separated kenaf fibers: alterations in the physical and chemical properties. In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p.120-126.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P., Kirkpatrick, A.P. Evaluation and comparison of kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus L.) versus standard attached growth filter media for the swine odor reduction bioreactor system (SORBS). In Proc. Third Ann. Am. Kenaf Soc. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000. p. 127-138.
Jones, Jeffery M., Burcham, T.N., Columbus, E.P. Swine operations: comparison of biological filter media for odor control and wastewater treatment. 93rd Ann. Inter. Meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers, July 9-12, 2000. ASAE Paper No.004095 p.21.
Mosley, Jeffery W. No-till kenaf: a viable option to solve harvesting problems. Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences, May 2000, p.57.
Graham, J. Wesley. The effect of population density on bast to core ratios in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Master of Science Thesis. Mississippi State University, Plant and Soil Sciences. May 2000. p.38.