Prospects of Kenaf as an Alternative Field Crop in Virginia

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a warm-season annual plant, has shown potential as an alternate source of fiber in the United States. Although preliminary research has indicated feasibility of kenaf production in Virginia, production details are lacking. Field experiments were conducted during 1995 and 1996 to determine optimal row spacing and fertilizer needs, and to compare available kenaf cultivars. Although results indicated that differences in dry matter yields from four row spacings (30, 60, 90, and 120 cm) and four rates each of N, P, and K fertilizers (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) were not statistically different, the yields were adequate ranging from 8.8 to 16.0 t ha-1 with an average yield of 12.5 t ha-1. Dry matter yields for narrow-leaf cultivars proved superior to broad-leaf, and the overall results demonstrate that kenaf can be easily produced in Virginia

Composition of Coriander Seed Grown in Virginia, USA

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an aromatic member of the Apiaceae with a wide diversity of uses. Its rapid life cycle allows it to fit into different growing seasons, making it possible to grow the crop under a wide range of conditions. Even though extensive demand for this herb exists among ethnic communities, its’ production in the eastern USA is essentially non-existent. We are interested in facilitation of commercial production of this herb and to characterize its’ composition. We have previously observed that coriander can be commercially produced in Virginia but composition of coriander seed produced in Virginia (Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America) is unknown. To remedy this situation, we conducted two experiments during 2015 and 2016 with three cultivars (‘Santo’, ‘Santo Monogerm’, and ‘Marino-Organic’). Coriander seed in this study had 7.6 and 8.7 percent oil and 17 and 15 percent protein in winter (planted in December 2015 and harvested in July, 2016) or summer crop (planted in May, 2016 and harvested), respectively whereas mean concentrations (g per 100 g) of P, K, S, Mg, Ca, and Na were 501, 830, 140, 332, 620, 10, respectively. Concentrations of B, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu (mg per 100 g) were 1.10, 2.71, 2.81, 8.96, and 1.29, respectively. Coriander seed in this study contained approximately 19, 63, and 17 percent total saturated, MUFA, and PUFA fatty acids, respectively. Coriander seed contained 0.179, 0.877, and 0.219 percent fructose, glucose, and sucrose, respectively. Our results indicated that coriander seed produced in Virginia has seed composition, generally, similar to that produced elsewhere

ANTI-NUTRIENTS AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN DROUGHT RESPONSIVE NATIVE TEPARY BEANS

ABSTRACT: Phytonutrients are gaining importance due to their contribution towards healthy nutrition to eliminate the risk of cancer and heart diseases. Food legumes were one of the richest sources of these compounds. Tepary bean is drought tolerant food legume native to USA preferred by various native and international communities and not explored to date for its seed quality traits. Twelve drought responsive cultivars were evaluated to know the content of antinutrients and antioxidants and their interaction with seed coat color (cultivar). The cultivars with brown and black colored seed coats showing high antioxidant activity compared to those with white color. The cultivars showed significant (p<0.0001) variation for total phenolic content (0-6.59 mg of tannic acid equivalent/g), condensed tannins (0-12.54 % leucocyanad in equivalent), total tannins (0-6.48 mg of tannic acid equivalent/g) and antioxidant activity (0.56-19.72µmol/Trolox Equivalent/ g).Significant variation among the seed components and the cultivars was observed with high contents in seed coat followed by whole ground soaked seed, bean without seed coat and whole ground dry seed. The cultivars TB 4,7,18, 24, 29 were observed with high contents of phenols, tannins and antioxidant activity. The cultivars with high phenolic content are positively associated with high antioxidant activity and drought tolerance. The contents were high in seed coat compared to bean and whole seed due to accumulation of pigments and phenolic compounds in the seed coat and testa. The significant variation observed among cultivars indicated the genetic control of the trait to utilize in breeding new tepary varieties for these traits to produce healthy food grain by studying the nature of inheritance and heritability