Integrated crop management for industrial hemp

Industrial hemp – grown for stem fibers and seeds – is a sustainable high-yielding and environmentally friendly crop with typically, low cannabinol content. Industrial hemp is used to make over 25,000 green products and have the potential to sequester between 10 and 22 t/ha of carbon dioxide emissions. However, industrial hemp productivity and quality are constrained by genotypic, climatic and management factors. Therefore, developing an integrated and innovative method can help address these concerns. In the proposed research, seed germination, plant growth and yield responses to pyroligneous acid (PA) biostimulant will be investigated followed by studies to understand PA mechanism of action. Plant growth, fiber yield and carbon sequestration capability in response to combined compound fertilizer (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) and compost will be evaluated. Ultimately, agronomic recommendations will boost industrial hemp fiber production and quality and thereby, creating new marketing streams and increasing revenues in the Canadian industrial hemp value chain.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lord Abbey

Student:

Partner:

Fiber Source

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: