EFFECTS OF KENAF (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) MUTANT LINES UNDER WATER STRESS CONDITION USING N-15 AND C-13 STABLE ISOTOPES

Kenaf is a fibrous plant which has potential in various industrial applications. The effects of water stress on growth and water relations of several Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties were investigated. The control variety, V36 and two of its mutant lines were used in the study. Three watering regimes namely field capacity (FC), 45% of field capacity (45FC) and 75% of field capacity (75FC) were imposed on the plants. Each watering treatment and variety was replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer were applied onto plants at two split applications. Soil water stress significantly reduced vegetative growth as measured by plant height, collar diameter growth, leaf development, pod numbers and stem yield. Highest nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) were obtained through 45FC water treatment. The stem yield of S3 mutant population under FC treatment was the highest among other varieties. The S3 population is significantly used nitrogen and water efficiently than other populations. FC water treatment is suggested as the best application to grow kenaf, and the S3 mutant line is recommended to grow under moderate water stress condition if necessary.