The appropriate planting time for the profitable production of the quality seed of kenaf (Hibiscus canabinus L.) in southwestern Nigeria

The low seed yield of kenaf in different agro-ecologies in southwestern Nigeria has been partly attributed to the effect of climate change. An experiment was, therefore, conducted to determine the response of kenaf to prevailing weather conditions and the most appropriate planting time to produce optimum seed yield of acceptable quality that will be profitable in humid agro-ecologies of Nigeria. The study was conducted at five research stations (Ibadan, Ilora, Ikenne, Orin Ekiti and Kishi) of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R.&T) in Ibadan, Nigeria, in the 2018 and 2019 planting seasons (June to August). Seeds of five varieties of kenaf (Cuba108, Ifeken DI 400, Ifeken100, Ifeken 400 and Tianung-2) were planted at monthly interval between June and August of each year in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Harvesting, threshing and cleaning were manually done, and samples of clean seeds were analysed for seed quality. Data were obtained on plant height at harvest, seed yield-related traits and seed quality parameters. Profitability analysis was also conducted to estimate the cost and returns to production in the different locations. Kenaf seed yield and quality were highly influenced by the production environment. It is concluded that planting of kenaf in mid-June in southwestern Nigeria will give optimum seed yield of high quality with profitable gross return on investment.