EVALUATION OF SUNN HEMP

(Crotalaria juncea)

FOR PRODUCTION IN THE MONDAK REGION

Robert Kolberg, USDA-ARS Research Agronomist

Joyce Eckhoff, EARC Agronomist

Sunn hemp is a non-wood legume grown for fiber. It can grow in marginal soils, is drought tolerant and resists or may even reduce nematode infestations. Sunn hemp is a tropical plant that originated in India. Flowering is triggered by short days with a long season required for full seed set. Therefore, it will not produce seed in Montana. Fiber of sunn hemp consists of the outer bast fibers, which are used to make cordage and high quality paper. The shorter core fibers may be used in potting media for commercial nurseries. Seeding rates vary widely for different production areas, ranging from 20 to 60 lbs/acre. However, seeding rates may be reduced to less than 10 lbs/acre if drilled in rows ranging 1 to 3 ft. apart. Larger stalk diameters and higher fiber yield are possible with lower plant densities. A seeding rate experiment was conducted under irrigation in Sidney, MT, to determine potential dry matter yields of sunn hemp. Rows were 24 inches apart.

Evaluation of vegetable crops under sprinkler and flood irrigation

Joyce Eckhoff, EARC Agronomist

Onion, cabbage, and carrot were tested under flood and low-pressure sprinkler irrigation. Row spacing was two feet. All vegetable plots were planted on May 5^th and were harvested on September 3^rd. Onion and cabbage varieties yielded more under flood irrigation than under sprinkler irrigation. Varieties that yielded most under flood irrigation also yielded most under sprinkler irrigation. Carrots under flood irrigation had severe disease infestation and were not harvested.