Progress 02/01/24 to 01/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:Data collected from our research were used to guide producers in Nevada on sustainable industrial fiber hemp production. We used the information to update the general public on the progress in hemp research in Nevada during our Ag Field Day. Students in agriculture science at UNR benefited from our work through field and classroom discussions on industrial fiber hemp production in Nevada. Changes/Problems:Challenge:The grain production component of this project was not fulfilled due to excessive bird predation of hemp seed in the experimental plots. This will have an impact on producers who want to venture into hemp grain production in Nevada. We repeated objective one (1) in 2024. However, germination and stand establishment were extremely poor, and even with a replant, no significant improvement in fiber hemp establishment occurred thus, the study was terminated before data collection. Semi-arid environments like Nevada can pose unique challenges to crop production agriculture, along with the frequently reported poor germination rates of hemp seed, which can stymie consistent industrial fiber hemp production. We proposed to carry out the field trial for one more year. We will test seeds from eachvariety for germination rate before planting. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One undergraduate and one graduate student received training in industrial fiber hemp processing, agronomic data collection, and data curation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results during this reporting period were disseminated to producers and the general public via face-to-face discussion at Nevada Field Day.Also, in-class teaching and discussion on project results were shared with undergraduate students at the University of Nevada, reno. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete the final phase of field work, analyze data, and produce peer-reviewed journal articles and extension fact sheets.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: The field trial entails two years of data collection. The experimental variables as set out in objective 1, two tillage methods (conventional and minimum tillage), four hemp varieties (Bialobrzeskie, CFX-2, Henola, and Joey), and four nitrogen application rates (0, 70, 140, 210 kg N/ha) in a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial in a split-plot arrangement with four replications each. The experimental plots were seeded each year in mid-June and harvested in late September. The parameters reported for the combined data are stem, bast, and hurd fiber yield. Hurd and bast fiber were separated by water retting for 7 days. Results: Across the two complete years of the study, industrial fiber hemp stem yield was influenced by the main effects of tillage method (P = 0.019; SE = 172), variety (P < 0.001; SE = 234), and nitrogen application rates (P = 0.0304; SE = 235). Interestingly, among the main experimental variables (tillage method, nitrogen application rate, and variety), no significant interactions (P > 0.05) occurred to alter fiber hemp stem yield. Fiber hemp grown under conventional tillage produced a greater stem yield (3545 kg/ha) than minimum tillage (3007 kg/ha). The fiber hemp varieties Bialobrzeskie (4303 kg/ha) and Henola (3893 kg/ha) had similar stem yields, and all two varieties produced greater stem yields than Joey (2896 kg/ha) and CFX-2 (2018 kg/ha). Also, Joey produced a greater stem yield than CFX-2. Stem yield was not different among the 70, 140, and 210 kg N/ha rates (average = 3429 kg/ha) but all three rates were greater than the control (0 kg N/ha = 2815 kg/ha stem yield). The quantity of hemp bast fiber yield produced was influenced by the main effects of variety (P < 0.001; SE = 130) and nitrogen application rate (P < 0.004; SE = 130). However, the tillage method did not affect (P = 0.876; SE = 104) the hemp bast fiber yield. The fiber hemp varieties Bialobrzeskie (2534 kg/ha) and Henola (2317 kg/ha) had similar bast yields, and all two produced greater bast fiber yields than Joey (1523 kg/ha) and CFX-2 (1171 kg/ha). The variety CFX-2 produced the least amount of bast fiber yield in this study. Concerning the effect of nitrogen application rate on the bast fiber yield production, the only difference was that the rates of 210 (2154 kg/ha) and 140 (1988 kg/ha) produced greater bast fiber yields compared to the control (0 kg N/ha = 1593 kg/ha). However, the bast fiber yield for hemp grown under conventional tillage (1878 kg/ha) was similar to those grown under minimum tillage (1895 kg/ha). Hurd fiber yield was affected by the main effects of tillage method (P = 0.004; SE = 110) and variety (P = 0.003; SE = 147) but not by nitrogen application rate (P = 0.361; SE = 147). Fiber hemp grown under conventional tillage produced a greater hurd fiber yield (1509 kg/ha) compared to those grown under minimum tillage (1112 kg/ha). The varieties Bialobrzeskie (1653 kg/ha), Henola (1436 kg/ha), and Joey (1334 kg/ha) produced similar hurd fiber yields, and all were greater than the hurd fiber yield produced by CFX-2 (818 kg/ha). Summary, Overall, the varieties Bialobrzeskie and Henola seem more adapted to the growing environment in Nevada and can be utilized for fiber hemp production. The impact of the tillage method was not definitive for all three reported industrial fiber hemp, and when overall input cost is a factor, minimum tillage may be a suitable option in this growing environment. Based on stem and bast fiber yield production, 70 kg N/ha may be all that is required to optimize fiber hem yield in this growing environment. Observation: We examined the year as a fixed effect variable and it had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on stem yield also, there were interactions of the year × variety and year × tillage method (P < 0.05) that will be examined more closely for the journal article production. Objective 2, After two years, there was no significant difference in the soil total microbial biomass, total bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal, and saprophyte biomass in the soil of the different treatments used over the two study years. Objective 3 We have been making slow but steady progress on investigating different data analysis procedures and interpretation of collected data from this component of the project. Initial data analysis appears to indicate that water stress during the early stages of the growing season, set the stage for nearly immediate reductions in CO2 uptake that persisted for the entire study. Interestingly, although water stress had a negative impact on CO2 uptake, it did not reduce seed quality, but it did reduce leaf and stem biomass production. This indicates that during water stress conditions the plants appear to be diverting resources to seed/reproductive growth over leaf and stem production. Statistical relationships between CO2-C sequestration, plant biomass production, and soil moisture will continue to be investigated. Correlations between environmental variables and measured components will also be made. Objective 4. We have had one field day sharing our research results with producers in Nevada.2024. Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo, May 31, Valley Road Field Lab and Greenhouse Complex, Reno, Nevada. We have one extension factsheet publication under review to guide producers on best management practices for industrial fiber hemp production. This includes hemp varietal selection. Data from this work was presented at a conference in Hawaii.Solomon, J.K.Q. (2023) Seeding and nitrogen rate influence on industrial hemp biomass and fiber yield. Western Society of Crop Science Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Solomon, J.K.Q. (2023) Seeding and nitrogen rate influence on industrial hemp biomass and fiber yield. Western Society of Crop Science Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Solomon, J.K.Q., Opoku, A., Huber, S. Emm, S. (2024) Industrial fiber hemp varietal evaluation in western Nevada. Special Publication, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno.
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Progress 02/01/23 to 01/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached was hemp farmers, extension personnel, university faculty, students, the scientific community, personnel from the agricultural industry, and the general public. Changes/Problems:For the field experiment, to harvest grain yield we will implement bird protection strategies to minimize grain loss at physiological maturity. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate students working on the project received agronomic field plot research training in plot maintenance, data collection, and sample preparation for laboratory analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Several growers in the state received information on the results obtained from the study through verbal communication. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with field plot work in year 3 (project extension) addressing objectives 1 and 2. For objective 3 (EcoCELL experiment), we will perform a more detailed statistical analysis of all data sets. Additionally, we will start data analysis on the soil moisture measurements that were taken in both experimental treatments. Statistical relationships between CO2-C sequestration, plant biomass production, and soil moisture will be made.We will present the results obtained from this project at growers' meetings, field days, and Nevada Small Farm Conferences. We will produce extension factsheets that will be published and available on the University of Nevada, Reno Extension website. We will present the findings at annual agronomy, crop, and soil science meetings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: In this second year of the project, we repeated the field experiment which entails four nitrogen application rates (0, 70, 140, 210 kg N/ha), four hemp varieties (Bialobrzeskie, CFX-2, Henola, and Joey), and two tillage methods (conventional and minimum tillage) in a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial in a split-plot arrangement with four replications each. Experimental plots were seeded in mid-June and harvested in late -September. The parameters measured were stem diameter, plant height, stem and leaf (leaf + flower) proportion, hurd and bast fiber proportion, stem yield, hurd fiber yield, and bast yield. Hurd and bast fiber were separated by water retting after 7 days of soaking. Results: The entries (varieties) Bialobrzeskie and Joe (7.45 mm, SE = 0.19) had greater stem diameter than CFX-2 and Henola (6.1 mm, SE = 0.19). Fiber hemp grown on minimum tillage had a greater stem diameter (7.35 mm, SE = 0.16) than conventional tillage (6.18 mm, SE = 0.16). The variety Joey was the tallest (167.1 cm, SE = 4.1) followed by Henola and Bialobrzeskie (143.7 cm, SE = 4.1) whilst CFX-2 was the shortest (118.2 cm, SE = 4.1). Hemp grown on conventional tillage was taller (153.8 cm, SE = 3.2) than those grown on minimum tillage (132.7 cm, SE = 3.2). However, the nitrogen application rate did not influence fiber hemp plant height. The proportion of leaf and stem was different among varieties. However, neither the nitrogen rate nor the tillage method had an impact on the proportion of leaf and stem. The cultivar Bialobrzeskie had the greatest proportion of stem (66.8%, SE = 1.0) while CFX-2 and Joey (53.1%, SE = 1) were the lowest with Henola intermediate (58.5%, SE = 1.0) in stem proportion. The variety CFX-2 (48.7%, SE = 1.0) had a greater leaf proportion than Henola (41.6%, SE = 1) and Bialobrzeskie (33.2%, SE = 1). Also, Joey (45.3%, SE = 1) produced a greater leaf proportion than Bialobrzeskie (33.2%, SE = 1). Both bast and hurd (stem) fiber proportions were influenced by the main effects of entry, nitrogen rate, and tillage method. Among the four varieties, Henola produced the greatest proportion of bast fiber (32.3%, SE = 0.6) while CFX-2 produced the least (18.0%, SE = 0.6). Contrastingly, the proportion of hurd fiber was greatest for CFX-2 (82.0%, SE = 0.6). Bast fiber proportion was greater for hemp grown on conventional tillage (27.0%, SE = 0.4) compared to minimum tillage (23.8%, SE = 0.4). Stem biomass yield was greater for varieties Bialobrzeskie (6109 kg/ha, SE = 352) and Henola (5829 kg/ha, SE = 352) than that of Joey (3134 kg, SE = 352) and CFX-2 (2678 kg/ha, SE = 352). Bast fiber yield was greatest for Henola (1561 kg/ha, SE = 77) and Bialobrzeskie (1474 kg/ha, SE = 77) followed byJoey (627 kg/ha, SE = 77), and the lowest was produced by CFX-2 (443 kg/ha, SE = 77). Hemp fertilized at 210 kg N/ha produced a greater bast fiber yield (1162 kg/ha, SE = 77) than the 0 kg N/ha rate (942 kg/ha, SE = 77) but no other differences occurred. Additionally, hemp grown on minimum tillage (1188 kg/ha, SE = 62) produced greater bast fiber yield than conventional tillage (865 kg/ha, SE = 62). There were several interactions among experimental variables for some of the parameters evaluated in this experiment. The interactions that occurred were for the measured parameters of stem diameter (N rate × tillage method), hurd (stem) and bast fiber proportion (Entry × N Rate), and bast fiber yield (Entry × Tillage method) that will be explored further to understand the implications of these interactions for recommended agronomic practices. For objective 2, soil samples were collected before planting and after harvesting of all treatments at the end of the second year of the experiment addressing objective 1. End-of-season soil chemical characteristics were not influenced by treatments. The average end-of-season soil chemical characteristics of the four industrial hemp cultivars grown in the two tillage systems (conventional and minimum tillage) and different N applications were not influenced by either the main or interaction effects of the experimental variables. The average soil chemical characteristics were pH (1:1 water) of 7.4, 36.9 mg kg-1 nitrate-N, 17.6 mg kg-1 phosphorus (Olsen-P), 446 mg kg-1 potassium, 545 mg kg-1 magnesium, and 35.2 mg kg-1 sulfur. Soil CO2 respiration was lower under minimum tillage (202.1 ppm) compared to conventional tillage (301.2 ppm). Soil total microbial biomass, total bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal, and saprophyte biomass in the soil of the different treatments used have not been completed by the laboratory. Objective 3: Below is what was accomplished for this objective. Hemp plants were grown in the Desert Research Institute (DRI) EcoCELL Facility during the growing season of 2022 (June 9 - September 27, 2022). Two EcoCELLs were used for the study. Hemp plants in EcoCELL-1 received the currently recommended irrigation amount of 4-acre feet, while EcoCELL-2 received a phased reduction of water during the growing season (i.e., a 75%/50% deficit irrigation treatment. The deficit irrigation treatment included a 25% reduction (75% of control) for the first 16-18 weeks of the growing season followed by a 50% reduction in the amount of water applied (50% of control) during the last 4-6 weeks of the growing season). All other environmental variables remained the same between the two EcoCELLs. We measured carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes and soil water content during the entire study period. We measured plant biomass production, seed oil production, seed protein production, and seed moisture content at the end of the growing season. Preliminary data analysis shows that plants grown in the water deficit treatment had an overall lower CO2 flux during the majority of the study when compared to the control treatment (100% irrigation; 4 acre-feet equivalent). This reduction in CO2 flux culminated in an overall reduction in CO2-C sequestration of approximately 15% for plants grown in the water deficit treatment when compared to the control treatment by the end of the study. In addition to a reduced CO2-C sequestration, the plants in the water deficit treatment had lower plant biomass production. This reduced biomass production is most likely the primary cause for the reduced CO2-C sequestration (i.e., less biomass to take up and sequester CO2) as well as the possibility of effects from stomatal opening and closing. We did not measure stomatal aperture in this study, but it is well documented that plant water stress causes stomata to close earlier in the day than plants that are not water stressed. This earlier stomatal closure decreases the length of time within a day for the exchange of CO2 between the plant and the atmosphere. In terms of seed oil, protein, and moisture content, there was no difference between the two experimental treatments for any of these measurements, indicating the water deficit did not affect seed quality. The seed oil percentage was 31% for both of the experimental treatments. The seed protein content was 25% for both experimental treatments. The seed moisture was 6% for both experimental treatments. Although further data analysis and interpretation are needed, our results indicate that water deficit does not change seed oil, protein, or moisture content. Objective 4: The progress and results from field experiments of this project were discussed with potential hemp growers in the state, undergraduate agricultural science students at UNR, and the scientific community at the Western Society of Crop Sciencemeeting held in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Seeding and Nitrogen Rate Influence on Industrial Hemp Biomass and Fiber Yield
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Progress 02/01/22 to 01/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached was hemp farmers, extension personnel, university faculty, students, personnel from the agricultural industry, and the general public. Changes/Problems:In the Fallon location (field site), there was an 80% failure in hemp seed germination. We are still in the process of assessing potential reasons for this occurrence. However, we have added another location in Reno to accomplish objectives 1 and 2 in year 2 of this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate students working on the project receivedagronomic field plot research training in plot maintenance, data collection, and sample preparation for laboratory analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Several growers in the state received information on the results obtained from the study through verbal communication. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with field plot work in year 2 addressing objectives 1 and 2. Co-PD (DRI) is working on data analysis for the controlled environment study (Objective 3). We will present the results obtained from this projectat growers' meetings, field days, and Nevada Small Farm Conferences. We will produce extension factsheets that will be published and available on the University of Nevada, Reno Extension website. We will present the finding at annual agronomy, crop, and soil science meetings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For objective 1, a field experiment was conducted that included four nitrogen application rates (0, 70, 140, 210 kg N/ha), four hemp varieties (Bialobrzeskie, CFX-2, Henola, and Joey), and two tillage method conventional and minimum tillage) in a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial in a split-plot arrangement with four replications each. This experiment was initiated on May 31, 2022 (date of sowing) and harvested on August 17 for fiber and September 20, 2022, for grain evaluation.First-year results indicated that thehemp varieties Bialobrzeskie and Henola performed better in fiber and grain yield than CFX-2 and Joey. No statistical significance in fiber and grain yield for nitrogen rates of 70 to 210 kg N/ha but all three rates resulted in greater fiber and grain yield than the control (0 kg N/ha). The tillage method independently or in interaction with N rate and variety did not affect fiber and grain yield. For objective 2, soil samples were collected before planting and after harvesting of all treatments at the end of the first year of the experiment addressing objective 1. No significant changes in total microbial biomass, total bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal, and saprophyte biomass in the soil of the different treatments used for objective 1. Concerning objective 3,hemp was grown in a controlled environment (Ecologically Controlled Enclosed Lysimeter Laboratory) at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) during the first year of the study (June - September 2022). The hemp was grown under 100% irrigation (control) and reduced irrigation (treatment) according to the methods outlined in the proposal. During hemp growth, we continuously measured CO2 fluxes and soil moisture (TDR). At the end of the study, we measured plant height, weight, and seed production of a subset of plants from the experimental control and treatment. We are currently working on data analysis from the study. Objective 4: There were discussions at the hemp experimentalsite with interested growers in the state to provide an update on the progress of the field trials.
Publications
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