Response of mesta (Hibiscus spp.) genotypes to stages of harvesting under rainfed conditions

The field experiment, conducted to find out the optimum stage of harvesting of different mesta varieties for obtaining higher yield of quality fibre for three consecutive rainy seasons at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, showed that mesta crop harvested at maturity gave significantly higher fibre and seed yields compared to those harvested at 20, 30 and 40 days of flowering. For only the fibre purpose, the crop can be harvested at 50 per cent flowering stage. This however gave lower fibre yield than that harvested at maturity. It is advised to harvest the crop at 120-130 days after sowing when, the pod development sets in to get higher fibre yield and fibre equivalent yield.