KOTA BARU: Two new varieties of kenaf, a plant with numerous industrial uses, have been developed in Malaysia that have higher yields and are more climate resilient, say two government agencies.
Named as Malaysia Kenaf 1 (MK1) and Malaysia Kenaf 2 (MK2), the two varieties were developed by the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia), in collaboration with the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN).
Dr Rosli Darmawan of Nuklear Malaysia explained that the seeds of MK1 were exposed to 300 Gray (Gy) of gamma radiation, while Malaysia Kenaf 2 (MK2) received 800 Gy, a process known as induced mutation, to enhance their agronomic traits.
Both MK1 and MK2 produce significantly higher yields compared to the V36 variety, which has been planted for over 15 years in Malaysia, said Rosli, Nuklear Malaysia’s director-general.
“Field trials conducted at LKTN’s Beseri plantation in Perlis recorded wet stem yields ranging between 24 and 32 tonnes per hectare, an increase of 20% to 60% compared to the V36’s current yield of 20 to 25 tonnes per hectare,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
The new strains also have distinctive physical features.
For instance, the flowers of MK1 have pale yellow petals and palmate leaves, which facilitate identification and field management.
Both varieties have been officially registered with the Agriculture Department, he added.
