Title : Morphological characteristics, biomass, fiber and seed yield of an industrial hemp cultivar and its progenies under different fertilization rates
Abstract:
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has received renewed interest for a panoply of medical benefits, as well as in the production of biofuels and fiber. This study aimed to determine the response of an industrial hemp cultivar (Fedora 17) and its progenies (Fed17-2) to different fertilization rates. The experiment was carried out at the Alborz and Golestan Station, Iran, to assess the impact of nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) fertilizer and cultivar on hemp yield (in terms of stems, inflorescences, and seeds). Three rates of NPK fertilizer were used (N150P150K80, N100P100K80 and control N0P0K0) at the two locations (Alborz and Golestan). The height, biomass yield, stem weight and diameter, inflorescence length and weight, fiber yield, seed yield, and 1000-seed weight were measured. Taller plants, and greater biomass, fiber yield, and seed yield were obtained with increasing rates of NPK at both locations for both cultivars. In Alborz, the seed yield was 1770 kg ha-1 in the control of Fedora17 and Fed17-2, and 3680 kg ha-1 in Fed17 at the highest concentration of NPK. Furthermore, biomass, fiber, and seed yield increased by 1450 g, 15889 kg ha-1, and 3676 kg ha-1, respectively, with the application of N150P150K80 when compared with the unfertilized control. In Golestan, the highest biomass and yields of fiber and seed were 225 g, 5222 kg ha-1 and 818 kg ha-1, respectively. Overall, all parameters were significantly higher at Alborz than at Golestan. It was found that the characteristics of Fedora17 were stable in its progenies which could be further exploited industrially. The results of this investigation suggest that hemp plants show a positive response to fertilization.
Keywords: cannabis; biomass; seed; fiber yield; industrial hemp, Fertilization.
