Publication Date

Spring 2018

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Todd Willian (Director), Dr. Paul Woosley, and Dr. Becky Gilfillen

Degree Program

Department of Agriculture

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) is an old crop being reintroduced into certain states; thus, very little information is known about growing the crop domestically. Two field experiments were established in Bowling Green, KY to evaluate various nitrogen fertilizer rates and timing applications to examine the effects on growth and yield of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa). Each experiment was sprayed with 1.12 a.i. ha-1 pendimethalin on half of each plot as a pre – emergent herbicide. Hemp was planted at a rate of 43 kg/ ha into a conventionally tilled silt loam soil. Nitrogen rates studied were a control, 79, 157, and 236 kg N/ ha in the first experiment. In the second experiment, 157 kg N/ ha was applied at three timings along with a control. The three timings were: at establishment, side-dressed, and a split application of 78 kg at establishment and 78 kg side dressed. Plots were 6 m x 4.5 m and replicated 4 times for each experiment.

Data collected included stand counts 34 days after planting (DAP), plant heights at 34 and 55 DAP, and stand counts, plant heights, fresh biomass, dried biomass, seed yield, and fiber yield at harvest (89 DAP) for both experiments. Increased fertilizer rates increased fresh and dried biomass which correlated with increased fiber yields. Different fertilizer timings had no effect on seed, biomass, or fiber yields. Herbicide had an early effect on stand counts and plant height in both experiments (

Disciplines

Agriculture

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