INITIATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP BREEDING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM AT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY (VSU)

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: EVANS-ALLEN
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1021404
• Project Start Date: Dec 11, 2019
• Project End Date: Oct 1, 2022
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
PETERSBURG,VA 23803

Performing Department
Agriculture

Non Technical Summary
Commonwealth of Virginia allowed higher education institutes to initiate research in industrial hemp since 2015. Consequently, Virginia State University (VSU) started research on industrial hemp on its research field. The crop, in a very short time, has become very popular among small and large scale growers and processors in the Common Wealth of Virginia and beyond. Hence, there is a strong need to initiate and establish a hemp breeding and research program. This project proposal represents the first and initial step of a new long-term breeding program in industrial hemp at Virginia State University.To address the current needs of hemp farmers, we are going to initiate a comprehensive research on hemp from this year (Oct 2019- Oct 2022). It includes activities from breeding to agronomy and soil sciences. To establish a strong germplasm base and genetic resources, we will explore and collect new germplasm from Gene Banks, public collection and research organizations worldwide (especially from Europe and Asia). These will be evaluated and characterized continuously for various morphological and quality trait. These germplasms serve as potential genetic sources for future breeding program. In addition, currently existing commercial varieties will be evaluated every year to identify the suitable varieties for grower to fulfill the immediate needs. We also conduct nutrient management studies to identify and recommend the best suitable nutrient management for industrial hemp.The project aims to disseminate the research findings on industrial hemp through VSU hemp field day, and other regular field visits. Research results will be presented on academic conferences/workshops/meetings. In addition, these results will be published and disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles, extension bulletins, VSU website and other online and mass media.

Animal Health Component

40%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

30%

Applied

40%

Developmental

30%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	1730	2061	50%
202	1730	1081	50%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 202 - Plant Genetic Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
1730 - Hemp;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding; 2061 - Pedology;

Keywords

industrial hemp

tetrahydrocannabinol (thc)

Goals / Objectives
The major goals of this project are:1. To develop and maintain germplasm pool/genetic resources through worldwide collection2. To evaluate/characterize the existing hemp cultivars for various morphological and physicochemical properties3. To identify the suitable planting date and nutrient management level for hemp in Virginia

Project Methods
I. Collection and maintenance of industrial hemp germplasmsIndustrial hemp is relatively new crop at US and is banned for general cultivation for long period. There is no public germplasm collection and availability of genetic material is the greatest challenge for hemp research. Gene Bank in Germany has good collection of hemp varieties/germplasm/cultivars and available for research purposes.All possible source of germplasm will be explored world-wide through on-line, meeting, and co-ordination. These germplasm will be maintained and evaluated at Randolph farm of VSU. They are grown in observation nursery. One or two rows of each varieties/germplasm (2 meter long) will be grown depending on the availability of seeds. Major growth and developmental parameters across the growing period of crop. Tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC )content of each germplasm will be analyzed during the growing season. Dry matter, total seed yield, 1000-seed weight will be recorded. A representative seed sample will be taken for further physicochemical analysis. Lab analysis will be conducted at common lab at ARS VSU as well as other government accredited laboratories. ii. Morphological and physicochemical characterization of existing hemp germplasm/varieties in VirginiaCurrently available commercial cultivars/varieties will be evaluated for their growth and yield attributes. Seeds will be purchased from certified seed suppliers and companies around US and Europe. This experiment will be conducted at VSU Randolph farm. It will be laid out in RCB design with 3 replications. Each plot consists of 8 rows of 3 m length at 15 cm row spacing. Sowing will be done with cereal seeder continuously at 1-1.5 cm depth depending on soil condition. Uniform plant density in each plot will be maintained manually after 4/5 leaves stage. Fertilizer will be applied at different growth time to ensure proper growth of plants. Major growth and development parameters recorded regularly (germination, plant height, flowering, maturity). Plants will be sampled randomly during growing season to determine the level of THC. Common lab at ARS, VSU has a well-established facility to analyze THC and other cannabinoids. Total THC will be quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These analysis will be performed on Ultimate 3000 UHPLC ultrahigh performance liquid chromatograph (Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA, United States) or other available plateforms. Whole plants from middle rows (2 rows) will be harvested manually and dried at 550C for 72 hr to estimate dry matter (DM). Threshing will be done manually. Seed yield, 1000- seed wt, DM biomass, and harvest index will be recorded and calculated.iii. Evaluation of hemp varieties under different levels of nutrient managementThree hemp varieties (one each from seed, fiber and dual-purpose) will be evaluated with various level of nutrient management at VSU research farm. Five different levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) will be applied with constant amount of P and K (50 kg ha-1).This experiment will be laid out on RCB design with 3 replications. Each plot consists four rows of 3 meter length with 15 cm row spacing. Seeding will be done with cereal seeder at the depth of 1-1.5 cm (seed rate 43 kg/ha). Uniform plant density will be maintained after 4-5 leaf stage.Various growth and developmental parameters (plant height, chlorophyll content, flowering date, and maturity date) will be recorded. Hand held SPAD- meter will be used to measure chlorophyll content during crop growth period. It is simple, fast, accurate and non-destructive method to measure chlorophyll content. Whole plants from middle rows will be harvested at maturity (2 rows of 2 m length) and dried. Total biomass, seed yield, harvest index, and 1000-seed wt (gm) will be recorded. Chemical composition of seeds (total protein, oil, and fiber) and biomass will be analyzed at common lab at VSU ARS. All data will be collected, processed and analyzed using MS Excel and SAS. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression among measured parameters will be analyzed. Significant differences among treatments will determined through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means will be separated using Tukey's test.iv. Response of hemp varieties with different planting dates at VSU. Plant date in hemp is most critical as it is photoperiod sensitive (short day). So, proper planting time is most important to ensure adequate growth before it starts flowering. Nine different varieties with different maturity date and growth habit will be evaluated in this experiment. Planting start as early as possible once the temperature start rising. Four plantings at 2 weeks interval will be done starting from April to May. The experiment will be laid out on RCB design with 3 replications for each planting date. Continuous seeding will be done with cereal seed planter at the depth of 1-1.5 cm depending on the moisture condition of soil. Each plot consists of 4 rows of 3 meter length with 15 cm row spacing. Uniform plant stand in each plot will be maintained manually after 4/5 leaves stage. Weeds are controlled manually and proper plant growth will be maintained through application of fertilizer during growing period of the crops. Plant height and biomass of 5 representative plants/plot will be recorded at weekly interval till maturity. Crop will be harvested manually from the middle two rows (2m length). Harvested plant were dried and threshed. Total biomass, dry matter weight, seed weight, 1000-seed weight will be recorded. Seed sample from each plot will be used for laboratory analysis. Chemical composition of seeds (total protein, oil content, fatty acid composition, fiber, and total carbohydrate) will be analyzed at common lab of VSU ARS, Petersburg.

Progress 12/11/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The industrial hemp research and dissemination program at Virginia State University is targeted from small farmers/growers to researcher/educator involved in hemp production. Due to the pandemic, the research farm was under limited entry only for researchers and nobody from outside is allowed to visit. So, we could not conduct our annual hemp field day as in last year, which is the most effective way to reach out to growers,educators, researchers and enterpreneurs. In spite of these difficulties, we tried to be in touch with growers and provided them suggestions and information about hemp farming and processing. We rearched to target audience through email and phone during this period. Growers/farmers from all over Virginia contacted VSU oabout hemp cultivation and processing. I provided information as much as I can to help growers. Changes/Problems:The major problem for our research was seed this year. We received seed from Czech Republic very late in spite of their continual support. It was due to travel ban during that time in Europe. As seed arrived later, we had to modify our research. We could not conduct planting date and nutrient management trials as it was extremly late. We only counducted variety evaluation trial under very late planting conditions. It would not be a problem this year as the seeds are already here and the field is ready. We can start our research activities in time this year without any problems. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This was the first planting season under this project. Crops are harvested and results are being analyzed now. We could not reach out to the large mass of our taget audience as in past years due to restrictions. We could not conduct our regular dissemination activities such as farm visit/tours and annual field day. But we communicated through email/phone. We disseminated the result through VSU publication (impact statement, which is in the publication process) and various meetings/forum. We also sharing our experiences and results via telephone among growers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We could not conduct planting date and nutrient management study trial this year. The reason for it is well explained in above section. Now we have seeds ready and everything is set up. We can conduct all the activites under this project in time. Though the situation has not improved yet, and we still have restrictions (limited access) to the farm, we are trying our best to conduct experiment without any delays.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. One of our objectives is to develop germplasm/genetic base to develop a hemp breeding program at VSU. We successfully received the seed of 44 germplasm from public gene bank Germany. Out of 44, few did not germinate (5) and others were successfully grown here at VSU Randolph Farm. The primary objective was to increase seed for future use. We harvested seed fromthe remaining 39 germplasm and they will be evaluated for detailed characterization this year and onwards. Objective 2. Sixteen hemp varieties were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications at Virginia Sate University Randolph Farm. Fourteen varieties are from Europe (European Varieties), one Chinese (Jinma) and one KY Plume from KSU. In spite of very late planting (June 24), most of the varieties performed well. The seed yield was not as per expection because of early flowering and seed set. Two varieties Fedora 17 and Futura 75 performed well as compared to other varieties. Jinma is also very promising with a very large seed. We have collected all growth and still recording various yield and quality parameters. The seed and flower samples are ready for analysis. Seed and flower samples for detailed analysis ( seed composition, nutrient analysis, CBD and other alkaloids analysis) will be sent for analysis soon. Objective 3. One of our major objectives is to determine the most suitable planting date and nutrient management for hemp. It took a very long time to get seed from Europe to here this year. There was astrict travel ban in Europe when the seed was ready for shipment. We have to wait a long time for seed shipments. With the generous support from European vendors, we got seeds very late ( By end of June). So, we could not conduct the planting date trial, as we are already out of the planting window for Virginia. Plants started flowering early with thelate planting, and there could not be a good response from the nutrient managementtrial due to lack of full growing time for varieties. So, we postponed these two activities and we will conduct them this year.

Publications