Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is an annual dicotyledonous plant which produces the fibre known as hurds which can then be woven to produce yarns, ropes and fabrics for clothing, building materials and other applications.
Hemp can be grown in numerous environments across the world and requires the summer sun light to stimulate vegetative growth, during which it can reach 7-10 cm per day. Because its short day photoperiod requirements, hemp tends to flourish best in dry climates with limited rainfall; additional irrigation may be required.
Hemp can produce yields of up to 14,000 tonnes/ha depending on its variety and growing conditions, making it one of the world’s most productive crops. Hemp is often planted as spring cereal but can also be integrated into crop rotation schemes along with cotton plants for maximum efficiency.
Growers seeking high yields of hemp must focus on maintaining optimal soil health and nutrient management practices in order to create high yields. With its high water uptake rate, hemp requires well-drained, nutrient rich soils with a balanced pH level for optimum growth conditions; salinity or excessive wet conditions must also be avoided for best results; in addition to this it’s vulnerable to several disease pressures such as nematodes, flea beetles and root rot diseases that must also be managed carefully if harvesting high yields are achieved.
United States consumers can find an assortment of hemp products available to them. Hemp seed is an incredible nutritional powerhouse, packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fats as well as protein and fibre. Furthermore, hemp contains arginine which turns into nitric oxide in the body to lower blood pressure while keeping arteries and veins flexible and elastic.
Hemp is a relatively low-input crop, requiring minimal fertilisers. However, ploughing and spring tillage may be required in order to prevent soil dryness. Depending on previous crops and the nutrient status of soils, growers may require applying mineral fertilisers such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium prior to planting hemp crops.
Crop has low nitrate removal capacity, thus decreasing environmental nitrate levels. Furthermore, it is an extremely tolerant plant which can grow on various soil types.
Hemp cultivation requires sound crop management practices in order to ward off weeds, disease and insect damage. When selecting integrated pest management approaches it should reduce chemical spray use significantly.