N, P, and S fertilization effects on industrial hemp in Saskatchewan

Abstract

S fertilization on industrial hemp in Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 90: 179Á184. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has become a well-known crop in western Canada in recent years, but insufficient information is available on its nutrient requirements for optimum yield. Our objective was to confirm the response of two hemp cultivars to increasing levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) in various sites in the province of Saskatchewan, during 2006Á2008. Increasing N rates significantly increased plant height, biomass, and seed yield, when data were averaged across all sites (location-years), reaching maximum values at about 150 kg N ha(1 of applied N fertilizer. The cultivar Crag was taller and produced greater biomass than the cultivar Finola over all levels of N fertilizer rate. The minimum rate of N fertilizer to achieve maximum height/biomass for Crag, relative to Finola, was 5 kg N ha(1 lower for height (Finola: 163 kg N ha (1 ) but 9 kg N ha (1 higher for biomass (Finola: 180 kg N ha(1 ). Finola seed yield was more responsive to progressively greater rates of N fertilizer. Consequently, maximum seed yield (plateau) was 27% greater for Finola than for Crag, but 198 kg N ha(1 of fertilizer was required to achieve this maximum yield vs. 175 kg N ha(1 for Crag. There was generally little or no response to P fertilizer, on soils with adequate available P, or to S fertilizer on an S-deficient soil. Results from this study indicate that N fertilizer rate and cultivar choice are important management parameters to consider for industrial hemp production. Mots clé s: Engrais, cultivars du chanvre, azote, phosphore, soufre, P extractible du sol, N-nitrate du sol

Industrial Hemp Response to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization

“…The positive response of hemp biomass and seed yields to N fertilization we observed is in accordance with previous reports (Struik et al, 2000;Vera et al, 2004Vera et al, , 2010Mihoc et al, 2013). Research to date on the effects of N fertilization on biomass or seed composition is limited, but it was previously reported that N fertilization may have limited effects on biomass composition (Thomsen et al, 2005).…”

“…Current recommendations for industrial hemp N fertilization in Western Canada range between 100 and 150 kg N ha −1 (Vera et al, 2004, 2010); our results suggest that in the province of Québec, N should be applied at higher levels. This conclusion is supported by Vera et al (2010), who hypothesized that greater N fertilization rates might be required for industrial hemp production in more humid environments than those in Western Canada. The evaluation of hemp response to N application rates above 200 kg N ha −1 in the typically more humid environments characteristic of Eastern Canada will, however, be required before definite recommendations can be made locally.…”

“…Therefore, it was not possible to determine an optimal N fertilization level for either industrial hemp yields or biomass or seed composition. In contrast, in Saskatchewan, Vera et al (2010) reported that across nine environments and two cultivars, biomass and seed yields were maximized with N fertilization applications of 150 kg N ha −1 . Possible reasons that might explain the absence of a plateau or maximum in our observed responses of industrial hemp to N could include application rates that were too low or an inefficient plant N uptake associated with the use of calcium ammonium nitrate as the source of N. It is possible that a certain proportion of the N fertilizer applied was loss either through volatilization or leaching.…”

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

“…In contrast, significant yield increases were reported in nitrogen limiting conditions (Van der Werf et al, 1995;Struik et al, 2000;Amaducci et al, 2002;Aubin et al, 2015). Vera et al (2010Vera et al ( , 2004 reported that hemp seed yield increased progressively with increasing nitrogen availability under a high fertilization rate, which ranged from 99 kg N ha −1 to 198 kg N ha −1 depending on growing conditions. According to several studies conducted in the Netherlands, England, Latvia and Italy, nitrogen fertilization rates ranged between 100 and 240 kg N ha -1…”

Effects of a Microbial Biostimulant, Mammoth PTM, on Cannabis sativa Bud Yield

“…These medicinal prescriptive uses in conjunction the expansion of indoor Cannabis propagation for psychoactive THC properties have stimulated the expansion of large indoor grow operations in several markets. Hemp is thought of as a relatively low input crop with limited demands for nutrients [7], but ensuring adequate supply of N, P, and K is critical to increase yields [8,9]. Indoor hydroponic and soil-less grow systems enable tight control over nutrient supply to plants, but several studies suggest that soil bacteria can facilitate nutrient uptake by plants, P in particular [10].…”