2018 ASHS Annual Conference

2017 was the first year that industrial hemp could legally be grown in North Carolina. North Carolina State University researchers conducted field studies across the state on production of industrial hemp for grain, fiber, and floral parts production. We were responsible for the fiber and grain studies in western North Carolina. Fifteen varieties of grain, fiber, and dual purpose varieties were planted in a variety x planting method study at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville, NC. The study was a split plot design with varieties as the main plots and the planting methods, broadcast and drilled, as the subplots. There were three replications. The well prepared field was fertilized as recommended for corn with 100 lbs N/acre and overhead irrigation was applied as needed. A similar study was established at a research station in Mills River but was lost to torrential rains shortly after sowing. Due to delays in obtaining seed, the field studies were planted much later than planned. This was a big concern since industrial hemp is photoperiod sensitive and many of the varieties were from Canada where the spring day lengths are substantially longer than in our growing region. Our study was planted on June 19. Germination was fast, high, and uniform in the drilled plots and the plants quickly established themselves and effectively out competed most weeds. The broadcast plots were much more irregular in germination and weeds, particularly pigweed, grew right along with the hemp seedlings. Many diseases and insects were found and identified in the plots but none caused any noticeable problems. There were big differences in plant height, flowering dates, and weed presence among the varieties, but in general, all varieties grew well. Stalks were harvested from three varieties and provided fresh weight yields of 10-13 t/ha. Grain was harvested from the remaining 12 varieties with a combine and averaged between 0.9 to 1.5 dried kg/ha.