Testing different seed treatment and stubble height options for industrial hemp

Testing different seed treatment and stubble height options for industrial hemp - an ongoing project Dr. Rajeev Dhakal SARDA Ag Research has been conducting several small plot research trials on industrial hemp in the Peace Region starting in 2014. Some of the previous research focused on agronomic practices such as looking into various varieties, seeding rates, effect of different fertilizer rates, and seeding dates. All of the trials were very successful in generating the interest and curiosity among producers to learn about industrial hemp as a viable crop in the Peace Region of Alberta. Continuing effort on researching various aspects of successful production of industrial hemp, SARDA has partnered with Farming Smarter from Lethbridge, Alberta, Innotech from Vegreville, Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Indian Head, Saskatchewan to secure a multi-year project on industrial hemp. One of the main projects (Hemp Seed Treatments) focuses on investigating the effects of several seed treatment options and their outcomes on seedling emergence, survival, canopy closure, and yield of fibre and grain cultivars. At SARDA, the seed treatment trials are established at two locations: near McLennan, AB and Donnelly Corner in the MD of Smoky River, AB. In the same seed treatment trial, another factor of differing stubble heights from the previous year’s crop is included. In the fall of the previous year, the plots were harvested at two different stubble heights, regular and tall. The project also aims to understand if different stubble heights capture differences in the snow and moisture that is available to the hemp crop. The effect of stubble height will be studied on soil moisture, improvement in seedling emergence, growth of crop and the fibre and grain yield.