Ramie is a woody herb found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, which can be grown for fodder or fibre. For fibre production its fibres are the longest, toughest and most silky of all known vegetable fibres. These are used in rope; Canton or Chinese linen and gas mantles.

The stems, however, are difficult to decorticate. The crop is highly palatable to livestock. It is as good or better nutritionally than other fodder materials, although care must be taken in storage to prevent fermentation or deterioration in storage.

The plant however tends to take up whatever minerals are present in the soil. This could cause problems for example high uptake of molybdenum can lead to conditioned copper deficiency. As a results of high uptake of minerals there might also be other trace mineral imbalances produced in livestock.

Yields up to 2t/ha crude fibre. For fodder production (in subtropical and tropical regions). 14 cuts/year yield 11.2 t DM/ha

When utilised for fodder Ramie yields 3 times more protein per hectare per year than lucerne. However Ramie does not fix as much atmospheric nitrogen as Lucerne and would need heavy N fertilisation [1].

A subtropical / tropical plant, may be suited to conditions in southern European states.

Production in East Asia approximately 100,000t of great local importance. It is largely replaced on the world market by synthetic fibres.

Ramie is also known as China-grass, rhea and grasscloth. The fibers are found in the bark of the stalk. The process of transforming ramie fiber into fabric is similar to manufacturing linen from flax. The fiber is very fine and silk-like, naturally white in color and has a high luster.

Ramie as a Blend

Ramie is most often blended with other fibers for its unique strength, absorbency, luster and dye-affinity. When blended with high-quality cotton it offers increased luster, strength and color. When mixed with wool, ramie adds lightness and minimizes shrinkage. When blended with rayon, it offsets the low wet strength.

Uses of Ramie

Ramie is used in fabrics resembling linen, such as apparel fabrics for shirts and shorts, tablecloths, napkins, and handkerchiefs. It is often found as a blend with cotton in knit sweaters. Ramie is also used in fish nets, canvas, upholstery fabrics, straw hats and fire hose.

Research Studies With Ramie

Sweaters of 55 percent ramie/ 45 percent cotton and 100 percent cotton were laundered using various care procedures at Iowa State University.Change in sweater size varied. Flat drying-resulted in growth of the sweater both vertically and horizontally. For both sweater types, less change in size occurred when the sweaters were machine washed and at least partially machine dried. The hand of the sweaters was affected by drying method. Flat drying resulted in a harsher and stiffer feel regardless of sweater type. Machine drying created a more pronounced texture.Using a fabric softener produced a positive hand for both sweater types.

Neither sweater type maintained its size or retained a positive hand when cleaned by the method recommended on the care label. The question is raised "What aspects are considered when determining the appropriate care.