1996 Hemp Trials in Ontario, Canada 13-17
1996 Hemp Trials in Ontario, Canada 13-17
Courtesy of Gordon
Scheifele, M.Sc et. al.: Previous pages 12-13 or Back to Beginning pages 1-5
The ratio of fiber to hurds remained fairly constant as the plants matured and continued to increase total yield. There was no increase in total fiber yield from cut 1 to cut 2. However, from cut 2 to cut 3 there was a 24% increase and cut 3 to cut 4, 27% increase in total yield - from cut 2 to cut 4 = 58% increase in total yield Graph 19.1. Cut 4 was taken 84 days after seeding when pollen shedding was completed and seed was beginning to develop. This would be the recommended point of harvest for maximum stem fiber and hurd yields. The plant growth has stopped at completion of pollen shed and male plants were beginning to deteriorate.
Graph 19.2 below shows no appreciable change in percentage fiber yield of total decorticated yield as plants matured - 33% to 35% from 1st cut to 3rd cut.
Graph 19.2 above shows no appreciable change in percentage fiber yield of total decorticated yield as plants matured - 33% to 35% from 1st cut to 3rd cut.
20. FIBER YIELD FOR FIELD RETTING OVER 3 WEEKLY INTERVALS
Fiber yield comparisons were made for 1, 2 and 3 weeks, respectively of field retting. The fiber yield in kg/ha decreased as field retting continued - 2680, 2300 and 2060 kg/ha for 1, 2 and 3 weeks of field retting Graph 20.1 below, Graph 20.2. The hurds yield decreased similarly resulting in no real change in percent fiber and hurds yield an average 38% fiber and 62% hurds.
Fiber yield comparisons were made for 1, 2 and 3 weeks, respectively of field retting. The fiber yield in kg/ha decreased as field retting continued - 2680, 2300 and 2060 kg/ha for 1, 2 and 3 weeks of field retting Graph 20.1 above, Graph 20.2. The hurds yield decreased similarly resulting in no real change in percent fiber and hurds yield an average 38% fiber and 62% hurds.
Percent fiber yields were about 4% higher for field retted stems than water retted. The warm water retted stems were more complete in retting than the field retted.
Graph 20.2 below shows the relationship of percentage fiber yield over length of field retting time. The highest yield is after 2 weeks of field retting (38.8%).
Percent of Fiber Yield at 3 Weekly Periods of Field Retting
Graph 20.2 above shows the relationship of percentage fiber yield over length of field retting time. The highest yield is after 2 weeks of field retting (38.8%).
21. HEMP VARIETY COMPARISONS AT RCAT
Five hemp varieties were compared for height, stem diameter, and fiber yield (water retted) 74 (cut 1) and 82 (cut 2) days after seeding.
TABLE 21.1 HEMP VARIETY COMPARISONS
| Unico-B | Kompolti | Zolotonosha 13 | Irene | Secuieni | |
| Length (M) | 1.573(331) | 1.124(708) | 1.001(327) | 1.450(298) | 1.411(299) |
| Diameter (mm) | 6.5(2.8) | 7.13(2.8) | 5.7(2.2) | 7.0(2.4) | 7.1(2.2) |
| Kg/ha cut 1 | 1,754(207) | 1,510(199) | 1,558(203) | 3,112(117) | 2,969(315) |
| kg/ha cut 2 | 3,145(464) | 3,479(238) | 4,297(353) | 5,714(492) | 5,209(404) |
( ) standard deviation
This trial sustained severe hail damage July 7/96 and plots (½ M2) were harvested from least damaged and best-recovered areas. The harvest population ranged from 50 to 75 plants/M2 (very low) Graph 21.1 below.
Hemp Variety Comparison For Fiber Yield
Irene and Secuieni gave the highest fiber yield. Graph 21.1 These two varieties were slightly shorter than Unico-B Graph 21.2 but had thicker stems Graph 21.3
Kompolti and Zolotonosha 13 had shorter stems and were lower yielding. The standard deviations certainly reveal the high variability in the stem lengths and diameters. Yield reflected real differences for Irene and Secuieni, which are both monoecious types (no male plants).
Irene and Secuieni gave the highest fiber yield. Graph 21.1 These two varieties were slightly shorter than Unico-B Graph 21.2 but had thicker stems Graph 21.33
Hemp Variety Comparison For Height
Irene and Secuieni gave the highest fiber yield. Graph 21.1 These two varieties were slightly shorter than Unico-B Graph 21.2 but had thicker stems Graph 21.3
Dioecious varieties have 50 to 53% male plants, which contribute negligibly to fiber yield.
Irene and Secuieni gave the highest fiber yield. Graph 21.1 These two varieties were slightly shorter than Unico-B Graph 21.2 but had thicker stems Graph 21.33
The dates of seeding trials at RCAT were destroyed by the July 7/96 hailstorm. However, significant observations up to July 7/96 were made.
A small 3-m x 6-m stand of volunteer hemp from 1995 shattered seed emerged on May 5/96. A hand seeding was made May 15/96 (date of License issuance) and the first official seeding was May 25/96.
On July 5/96 the volunteer hemp was about 1.7 m and beginning to shed pollen. The May 15/96 seeding was about 0.8 to 1 m in height and the May 25/96 seeding was about 0.5 m.
Hemp seed is reported to be able to germinate at 2oC soil temperatures and has frost tolerance. It is obvious that Early seedings - similar to spring cereal seeding time, is preferred for optimum hemp fiber yields. Delayed seedings to June 25/96 will still result in a potential crop but at significantly reduced yields for each week delay in seeding.
The fertility trial at RCAT was destroyed by the July 7/96 hailstorm. However, observations up to July 7/96 were significant. Three fertility levels were tested: 0, 50% of recommended and 100% of recommended (N = 135 kg/ha actual, P205 = 40 kg/ha, K20 = 60 kg/ha, and Ca0 = 120 kg/ha (based on soil analysis).
The 0-fertilizer treatment was significantly reduced in growth and a pale yellow green color (lack of N). The 50% treatment was beginning to show a slightly lighter green color and reduced height. These observations did not require measurements and were becoming quite distinct by July 7/96.
The plant nutrient uptakes returned to the soil relative to the total uptake were N = 69%, P = 33%, K = 53%, Mg = 72% and Ca = 72% in organic form.
A good crop of hemp will require good fertile soil and fertilizer similar to a healthy crop of corn.
1) Seeding - requires an excellent seedbed - similar to that required for direct seeding alfalfa. The hemp seed requires firm soil/seed contact for quick germination and rapid emergence. Depth of seeding should be about 2-3 cm.
2) Compaction - hemp is very sensitive to soil compaction. This means that soil must be in top condition for workability at seeding time.
3) Moisture - hemp is extremely sensitive to flooding - similar to peas. Heavy rains resulting in saturated soils and flooding will result in potential crop damage - loss of plant. The actual precipitation required for a successful hemp crop still needs to be established.
4) Wind and hail damage: broken plants will partially recover if not broken too low (within ½ the original length is ½ M or taller. small plants - 12-18 cm broken or severed by the hail recovered quickly and developed relatively normal if not broken below the first node.
5) Soil Types - Hemp will produce about 3/4 the crop on Brookston clay and tobacco sand compared to Clyde loam. Hemp seeded after wheat will produce 60% the crop compared to following corn on Brookston clay soil.
6) Time of harvest for fiber - Hemp fiber yields appear to be optimum when stems are harvested at completion of pollen shed and before seed development.
7) Plant Density - It is not clear what optimum plant density is but the data suggests that maximum yields should be achieved with uniform plant stands which produce stem diameters at 4-5 mm (about 300/M2) at seedling stage.
8) Monoecious varieties seem to have a distinct yield advantage for fiber. The lack of male plants results in a significantly higher stem yield of retted dry matter.
9) Δ9 THC - Industrial fiber varieties known to have low Δ9 THC levels can produce higher levels under certain conditions.
10) Weeds if present will grow in a hemp crop if poor and uneven stands or seedings with delayed emergence and soil not tilled immediately before seeding. A stand of hemp 200/M2 or greater will out-compete weeds.
11) Yield Expectations. It is believed that with seedings in late April/early May and good uniform stands (250-300/M2) should produce a fiber crop of 6-7 tonnes/ha on good fertile sandy loam soil. Brookston clay soils should produce 4-5 tonnes/ha of fiber.
12) Successful field retting will require a delicate balance of weather conditions consisting of nightly dews and drying daytime conditions. The length of field retting is critical for optimum fiber yield and quality. This length of time appears to be from 2 to 3 weeks.
13) Forage Harvesting Equipment. Current forage sickle bar mowers will work for harvesting smaller acreages of hemp but as acreages increase heavier and larger harvesting equipment will be required. The current forage harvesting equipment is not adequate. Windrow inverters will be essential for turning swaths. Regular hay tedder rakes seem to work adequately for wind rowing and large round balers do the job.
14) Soybean Cyst Nematode. The production of hemp is SCN infested soil appears to have a suppressant effect on SCN larvae.
With many thanks to all the people who worked on this report! This donation is one in the true spirit of HempCyberFarm: Work together and share our research and experiences to enable the Hemp-Industry in record-time around the World = make it one HempWorld right here on HempCyberFarm!
This information will hopefully benefit all people interested in Hemp, especially the people in the US (get a clue!).
Thank you very much; Gordon Scheifele, M.Sc., Research Scientist, Peter Dragla, M.Sc., Research Assistant,Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology, Claude Pinsonneault and Jean Marie Laprise, Kenex Ltd., Bonnie Eberle and all the others not mentioned here.
Thanks again,
Matthijs/HempCyberFarm.
Do you know more about this? E-mail us at Matthew@HempWorld.com
Industrial-Hemp has no psychoactive properties following definition of the European Economic Community (EEC); THC content is less than 0.3%. In general, low THC-seed varieties without psychoactive properties are those that have a THC content of less than 1%. (See also No-THC Hemp-seed.) THC= Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol.Copyright © 1995-2003 HempWorld, Inc. and Gordon Scheifele, Jean Marie Laprise et. al. Kenex, Ltd., All Rights Reserved.
