17th International Fiber and Polymer Research Symposium

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A new fibre crop for Türkiye: okra cultivars for textile industry

Authors :

Faik Kantar¹ Nazire Deniz Yılmaz² Mauaid Khalife Alani³ Fadime Gündüz⁴

1- Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Antalya, Türkiye. 2- Textile Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye 3- Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Antalya, Türkiye. 4- Textile Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye

Keywords :

Breeding,،fibre type,،cultivars,،fibre yield،quality

Abstract :

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is a vegetable crop traditionally grown for its fresh fruits which are used as vegetable. The crop has recently attracted interest for its stem fibres. Okra belongs to Malvacea family which includes many well-known natural fibre plant species used in textile industry such as cotton, boabab, bombax cotton, kapok cottonwood, hibiscus and jute, as well as other lesser-known fibre plants. Okra has a strong and robust plant structure and high adaptability to hot and arid regions. Recent data have been produced for the aim of valorisation of agro-wastes after harvest, which indicate coarser fibre quality. No work has been reported on the purpose designed fibre type okra cultivars for enhanced fibre yield and quality. This study reports early breeding studies under field conditions. In conclusion, variation existed within okra lines and cultivars, which can be enhanced further in order to develop fibre type okra cultivars for the textile industry. Advanced high fibre yield and quality lines and hybrids have been developed.