Testing different seed treatment and stubble height options for industrial hemp

Testing dierent seed treatment and stubble height options for industrial hemp - an ongoing project

Dr. Rajeev Dhakal

SARDA Ag Research has been conducting several small plot research trials on industrial hemp in the Peace Region starting in 2014 Some of the previous research focused on agronomic practices such as looking into various varieties, seeding rates, eect of dierent fertilizer rates, and seeding dates. All of the trials were very successful in generating the interest and curiosity among producers to learn about industrial hemp as a viable crop in the Peace Region of Alberta

Continuing eort on researching various aspects of successful production of industrial hemp, SARDA has partnered with Farming Smarter from Lethbridge, Alberta, Innotech from Vegreville, Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Indian Head, Saskatchewan to secure a multi-year project on industrial hemp. One of the main projects (Hemp Seed Treatments) focuses on investigating the eects of several seed treatment options and their outcomes on seedling emergence, survival, canopy closure, and yield of fibre and grain cultivars At SARDA, the seed treatment trials are established at two locations: near McLennan, AB and Donnelly Corner in the MD of Smoky River, AB.

In the same seed treatment trial, another factor of diering stubble heights from the previous year’s crop is included. In the fall of the previous year, the plots were harvested at two dierent stubble heights, regular and tall. The project also aims to understand if dierent stubble heights capture dierences in the snow and moisture that is available to the hemp crop The eect of stubble height will be studied on soil moisture, improvement in seedling emergence, growth of crop and the fibre and grain yield.

Hemp seedlings growing in the SARDA Ag Research plots in the MD

of Smoky River, AB

Photo credit: Rajeev Dhakal

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

Determine the eect of fungal seed treatments on improving seedling emergence, survival, canopy closure, and yield potential of hemp fibre and grain cultivars The project will evaluate seed treatments including Allegiance FL (Group 4), Apron Maxx RTA (Group 4 and 12), and Vibrance Maxx RFC (Group 4, 7, and 12) for their impact on seedling establishment and survival

Determine the eect of stubble height on improving hemp seedling emergence, survival, growth parameters (height, and canopy closure), and the fibre and grain yield potential of hemp

Determine the eect of stubble height on soil moisture content.

This multiyear project began in 2024 and will continue until 2027. It is being funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR).

At SARDA Ag Research, we are looking forward to a successful year and we are eager to see and share the results with producers around the Peace Region.