Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The purpose of this research project is to identify best management practices (BMP) for cannabidiol (CBD) hemp that includes 1) selection of a set of hemp cultivars that yield high percentage of CBD within legal limits (0.3%) of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 2) identification of optimal nitrogen requirement and soil conditions for Piedmont North Carolina conditions. Target audience include 1) farmers who are looking to grow industrial hemp using sustainable management systems, (2) growers and others interested in soil health benefits from industrial hemp production, (3) manufacturers who are interested in CBD production/extraction from industrial hemp and (4) undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in the area of soil science, plant science, and environmental science. Changes/Problems: Project timeline- COVID-19 prevented us from getting our plants before July in the field, compelling us to plant a month behind schedule. Student access- We had limited student access to the lab and farm which resulted in labor shortage and difficulty in adhering to the project timeline. Graduate student hiring- Graduate student hiring has been a problem due to COVID-19. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Major research capacity development includes training of graduate student Ifeoluwa Adesina to conduct plant and soil sampling and testing. She is also developing laboratory skills that include designing soil incubation experiments with hemp biochar, analyzing microbiological indicators of soil health (soil enzyme analysis, soil PLFA profiling, active carbon analysis etc.), data tabulation and interpretation. Research Specialist John Ivey is developing skills in field experimental design, cloning and sample preparation. Other undergraduates on this project are developing skills to assist ongoing field and laboratory experiments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our team played an active role in organizing the first CAES Industrial Hemp conference in Feb 2020 that had over 250 attendees representing farmers, personnel/researchers from NCDA&CS, NC Industrial Hemp Association, NC Co-operative extension, NC Industrial Hemp Commission, North Carolina State University and representatives from other hemp enterprises. Outreach presentations are: Bhowmik, A. 2020. Optimal nutrient requirements for CBD hemp production under North Carolina conditions. NCA&T Hemp Conference, Greensboro, NC. (invited talk) Bhowmik, A. 2019. Optimal growing conditions for CBD Hemp in North Carolina. Piedmont Triad Industrial Hemp Conference, Greensboro, NC. (invited talk) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Hemp is a multi-purpose crop delivering seeds, fibers, buds and bio-active chemicals that all have the potential for a number of uses and markets. Legalization of the production of hemp in North Carolina (NC) has made it necessary to collect, catalog and diffuse information regarding cultivation best management practices for farmers in order to mitigate their risks and losses from hemp production and sale. The objective of this research is to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and hemp varieties on cannabinoid content i.e. cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and harvest yield. A randomized complete block design consisted of four fertilizer rates (F1: 0; F2: 50; F3: 100 and F4: 200 kg N ha-1) and two CBD hemp varieties (Spectrum and Therapy). This research was conducted in 2019 at the North Carolina A&T State University research farm located at Greensboro, NC. Results indicated that both the THC and CBD levels in the treatments were positively related. The CBD levels in both the varieties were significantly higher at 100 and 200 kg N ha-1 as compared to control or 50 kg N ha-1 fertilizer application rates. No significant increase in yield was obtained between 100 and 200 kg N ha-1. Our hemp best management practices' information will provide first-hand guidance for NC growers to improve quality assurance for potential hemp product markets. We have gained knowledge, facilities and research tools to determine the optimal conditions for growing hemp under field conditions. In summary, our study was designed to determine the optimal nitrogen (N) application rate through chemical fertilization for obtaining highest CBD hemp yield. Our results indicated that 100 kg N ha-1 yielded highest concentration of CBD (~8-10%) in two hemp varieties (Spectrum and Therapy) while maintaining legal limits of THC concentration.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Adesina, I., Bhowmik, A., Sharma, H., and Shahbazi, A. 2020. A Review on the Current State of Knowledge of Growing Conditions, Agronomic Soil Health Practices and Utilities of Hemp in the United States. Agriculture. 10:129
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Adesina, I., Bhowmik, A., Ivey, J., and Shahbazi, A. 2020. Determining Growing Conditions for Industrial Hemp in North Carolina. CAES Student Showcase of Excellence, Greensboro, NC (poster)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Bhowmik, A., Via, J., Ivey, J., Todd, M., and Shahbazi, A. 2019. Determining Growing Conditions for Industrial Hemp in Piedmont North Carolina. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), San Antonio, TX. (poster)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Via, J., Bhowmik, A., Ivey, J., Todd, M., and Shahbazi, A. 2019. Determining Optimal Conditions for CBD Hemp Production by small Scale Minority Farmers in North Carolina, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), American Society for Microbiology, Anaheim, CA
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include 1) farmers who are looking to grow industrial hemp using sustainable management systems, (2) growers and others interested in soil health benefits from industrial hemp production, (3) Manufacturers who are interested in CBD production/extraction from industrial hemp and ( 4) undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in the area of soil science, plant science, and environmental science. Changes/Problems:Due to change in the project lead PI, funds were allocated to account for the effort of PI Dr. Bhowmik (soil scientist) during FY 2019. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Major training accomplishments include recruitment of graduate student Ifeoluwa Adesina who started working and getting trained on the hemp research project in August 2019. This project has provided lab technician John Ivey a platform to develop skills in soil sampling techniques, sample preparation, laboratory analyses that include lengthy incubation periods, data collection, analysis, tabulation and interpretation. Undergraduate research scholar Jared Via on this project is gaining skills on hemp cultivation. He presented his research and won the 2nd poster prize at the Association of 1890 directors Inc.(ARD) national meetings held at FL. Other undergrads Maya Cohen and Kelyah Spurgeon worked on this project to assist lab and field work related to hemp cultivation and CBD analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Due to increasing demand among farmers to adopt the cultivation of industrial hemp, an Industrial Hemp Website was established to provide valuable information through our research to small scale farmers in North Carolina. Our research activities have also been published in the "Re:search" magazine published by College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University. We will continue to conduct cutting edge research to establish best practices for industrial hemp cultivation targeted to small scale limited resources farmers. During the report period, findings from this research was presented at over 14 outreach events including different counties across the state of North Carolina. These also included research updates presented at the 2019 Small Farms Week Industrial Hemp workshop, Small Farms Field Day and Hemp field day held at North Carolina A&T State University. PI has also participated in online Hemp research planning meetings with NCSU and NCDA hemp research team in order to increase collaborative efforts on industrial hemp research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are planning to complete the proposed research and share the results with other researchers and the farming community. We are already in the process of seeking collaboration with researchers who has complementary expertise and could add value to this research activity.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Hemp is a multi-purpose crop delivering seeds, fibers, buds and bio-active chemicals that all have the potential for a number of uses and markets. Legalization of the production of hemp in North Carolina (NC) has made it necessary to collect, catalog and diffuse information regarding cultivation best management practices for farmers in order to mitigate their risks and losses from hemp production and sale. The objective of this research is to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and hemp varieties on cannabinoid content i.e. cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and harvest yield. A randomized complete block design consisted of four fertilizer rates (F1: 0; F2: 50; F3: 100 and F4: 200 kg N ha-1) and two CBD hemp varieties (Therapy and Cherry). This research was conducted in 2019 at the North Carolina A&T State University research farm located at Greensboro, NC. Preliminary results indicated that both the THC and CBD levels in the treatments were positively related. The CBD levels in both the varieties were significantly higher at 100 and 200 kg N ha-1 as compared to control or 50 kg N ha-1 fertilizer application rates. No significant increase in yield was obtained between 100 and 200 kg N ha-1. Our hemp best management practices' information will provide first-hand guidance for NC growers to improve quality assurance for potential hemp product markets ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Dingha, B., Sandler, L., Bhowmik, A., Mensah, C., Jackai, L., Gibson, K., and Turco, R. 2019. Industrial Hemp Knowledge and Interest among North Carolina Organic Farmers in the United States. Sustainability. 11:2691
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
J Via*, A Bhowmik, J Ivey, M Todd and A Shahbazi. A Study of Fertilizer Impact on Chemical Composition and Harvest Yield of Industrial Hemp in Piedmont North Carolina. March 31st 2019 ARD Meetings, Jacksonville, FL (*undergrad presentation). Undergraduate student Jared Via presented this research and won 2nd poster prize award at the ARD Meetings 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
3. A Allen, F M Hashen, A Collick, L E Marsh, A L Kenney, M Guo, D Davis, P Millner, H Casey, G Dale, S Dennis, J P de Kroff, L Kibet, A Bhowmik. Expanding Soil Health Focus at 1890 & 1994 Universities: Research, Curriculum Reconstruction and Student-Faculty-Farmer Training. Jan 5th 2019 Soil Science Society of America International Meetings, San Diego, CA (poster)
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience include, farmers who are looking to grow industrial hemp to improve farm income, growers and others interested in industrial hemp production, manufacturers who are interested in CBD production/extraction from industrial hemps and the graduate students who are interested in the area of soil science, plant science, and environmental science. Changes/Problems:One of the objectives of the initial proposal was to grow industrial hemp plants to produce oil seeds. After talking to many farmers during the conferences and field day events around the state we have learned that farmers are more interested in growing cannabinoid rather than oil seeds. Furthermore, researchers in other universities in NC are studying oil and fiber production. Thus, we comprehend that there is a greater need for cannabinoid research in NC. Hence, we have modified our research objectives to focus on growing plants that are suitable for cannabinoid production. We have also added an objective on chemical extraction and analysis that is an essential component of the cannabinoid production. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Major training accomplishments include the recruitment of a lab technician John Ivey in order to lead and coordinate all field activities including experimental implementation and plot management. He is developing skills in soil sampling techniques, sample preparation, laboratory analyses that include lengthy incubation periods, data collection, analysis, tabulation and interpretation. An undergraduate research scholar Jared Via working on this project is also gaining skills specifically related to cloning selected varieties of industrial hemp for planting in the field for cultivation. Other undergrads Chi Smalls and Mary Brown working on this project is also assisting in lab and field related work related to hemp cultivation and CBD analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Lab technician John Ivey presented research objectives and focus at Industrial Hemp Conference at North Carolina State University, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, NC on February 8th 2018. He also presented preliminary experience on starting hemp cultivation e.g. propagation at the small farms field day at North Carolina A&T State University Farm, NC on June 14th. On Aug 24th, the Initial finding of the first harvest season was presented at the Hemp meeting at Agricultural Research Station, North Carolina A&T State University, NC. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Based on the interest generated with hemp cultivation among the farmers in NC, PI Bhowmik and lab technician John Ivey is planning to participate in hemp workshop to be held in Jan 2019 in Macon County Extension office. There they will be providing hemp research updates to farmers and growers. Data related to plant response (harvestable yield, THC and CBD content) of 4 different fertilization rates in different hemp varieties from 2018 growing season will be presented at 2019 ARD meetings to be held in March at Jacksonville, FL. Laboratory incubation experiments to study the impacts of hemp cultivation on soil microbial activity and soil health indicators will be finalized and initiated.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The aim of this research is to select and cultivate a set of industrial hemp cultivars that contain high percentage of the cannabidiol (CBD) which occurs mostly in the hemp flower and identify the optimum nutrient and soil conditions that produce a concentration of .3% or less THC for each variety, so that it can be marketed here in North Carolina. Two CBD cultivar varieties (1) Therapy by Oak City Hemp and (2) Cherry Otto by Flat River Hemp containing high amounts of CBD (15-20%) with a low percentage of THC (.1-.3%) were selected for cultivation for summer 2018. Shortly after field preparation in May, drip irrigation was installed and plastic mulch rows were setup. The transplants of each variety were planted using a randomized complete block split-plot experimental design in plots 40' x 80' with four replicates of each plot. The fertilizer rate was the main plot factor and variety was the sub-plot factor. Four fertilizer treatments 1) No fertilizer (Rate 1), 2) low recommended levels of 33% (Rate 2), 3) moderate recommended levels of 66% (Rate 3), and 4) high recommended levels of 100% (Rate 4) was used to determine the appropriate fertilizer application rate. General Hydroponics' Grow (2-1-6) during vegetative growth, General Hydroponics Bloom (0-5-4) after the onset of flowers and General Hydroponics' Micro (5-0-1) were used throughout the entire season. Because of these 2 major storm events, harvest was staggered this season. The Therapy plants were harvested in September whereas the Cherry Otto was harvested in early October followed by drying and curing. At the time of harvest, Therapy at Rate 1 tested @ 0.012% THC and 6.2% CBD, Rate 2 @ 0.079% THC and 3.86% CBD, Rate 3@ 0.095% THC and 5.5% CBD and Rate 4@ 0.073% THC and 6.51% CBD. Our control (Rate 1) with 0% nutrients averaged 41.654kg ha-1, the 33% nutrient blend (Rate 2) averaged 36.726 kg ha-1, the 66% nutrient blend (Rate 3) averaged 32.856 kg ha-1, and the 100% (Rate 4) nutrient blend averaged 45.705 kg ha-1. This could be a result of differences between cultivars or because of early harvest. At harvest Cherry yield 0.051% THC and 3.2% CBD at Rate 1, 0.054 % THC and 5.4% CBD at Rate 2, 0.092% THC and 3.48% CBD at Rate 3 and 0.074% THC and 3.86% CBD at Rate 4.Our control (Rate 1) with 0% nutrients averaged 59.935 kg ha-1, the 33% nutrient blend (Rate2) averaged 61.886 kg ha-1, the 66% nutrient blend (Rate 3) averaged 98.375 kg ha-1 and the 100% nutrient blend (Rate 4) averaged 73.799 kg ha-1. Total Yield vs. CBD content at different fertilizer rates will yield the optimal conditions for a maximum return for each variety, at the lowest cost to the farmer.
Publications
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