Abstract:
Girardinia diversifolia, a plant valued for its fibre has been in use traditionally in the Hindu Kush region of
Asia for a long time. Traditional harvesting of the plant is done leaving stem stumps at a height of 40 cm to
60 cm or even more. This practice was observed to affect fibre yield and subsequent growth adversely. A
study was carried out at Hwayangla (Sankhuwasabha district) in eastern Nepal, during December 1994
and 1995 to improve this method of harvesting. Cutting the stem at the base, leaving 10 cm stump increased
fibre yield per unit stem by 12.2% and the total fibre yield by 12.7%.
