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CULTIVATION OF INDUSTRIAL
HEMP ON THE PRAIRIES FOR
FIBRE BIOPRODUCTS
Jan J. Slaski Ph.D., P.Ag.
Biofibre Innovation and Opportunities Vegreville, January 19, 2012
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What is hemp?
• Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has two subspecies: C. sativa and C. indica that differ in content of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Hemp is one of the oldest non-food, fibre crops • Originates from Central Asia where it was
cultivated 6,500 years ago
Industrial hemp < 0.3% Marijuana up to 40%
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July 14 July 19
Hemp is one of the faster growing plants
Growth rate ~ 15 cm per day !
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Root system
Well developed root system: • water uptake, • soil organic matter, • improves soil texture
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Hemp is a multipurpose crop
Stalks – source of fibre Seeds – source of oil,
protein
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Two types of fibre
Long (bast) fibre -50 mm Cellulose - 50-70% Lignin – 5-7%
Short (hurd) fibre -0.5 mm Cellulose - 35% Lignin – 20-30%
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History of hemp in Canada
• Collapse of a long lasting career
- 19th century – new plants (cotton, jute), wood processed into paper pulp
- 1938 – 80’s – synthetic fibres, psychoactive compounds
• Arrived in Canada in 1606, became popular 1801 Seeds distributed for free - used for clothes, ropes, paper, oil
• Revival
In 1998 it became legal to grow industrial hemp (less than 0.3% THC) in Canada as a sixty year ban was lifted.
• Information gap - old, labor intensive cultivation and processing technologies - minuscule breeding and research programs - new opportunities
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Hemp acreage in Canada
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1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Lice
nce
d a
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age
(h
a)
Canada
Alberta
• Average hemp field – 35-40 ha • Number of licenced growers – 590 (2006)
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Establishing hemp as a mainstream
crop for industrial applications
Hemp fibre has a great potential to be a valuable
feedstock for several well established industries.
To realize potential residing within this crop AITF’s assembled a program offering solutions from “Seed to final product“ Feedstock development Fibre processing Biocomposite research Market development
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Feedstock development research goals
To secure supply of fibre of uniform quality and quantity and to reduce costs of fibre production
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• Gene discovery
• Breeding cultivars adapted to the prairies
• Agronomic studies
Three pillars of fibre feedstock development
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Gene discovery Identification and characterization of genes
involved in fibre production using molecular biology non-GMO techniques: • Increase biomass • Increased bast fibre • Decreased lignin • Low THC
Development of mutant populations with altered fibre traits. Generating variability is critical for successful classical breeding program.
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Hemp selection and breeding • Germplasm evaluation
• Selection of top performers under AB conditions
• Maintenance breeding of cv. Silesia
• Initiation of new cultivars breeding for Alberta
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Crag Alyssa Carmen Tygra Silesia
Str
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t d
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AITF’s Agronomy Trials Objective:
Optimization of cultivation practices for Alberta (at the Vegreville site)
• 4 seeding dates (mid May- mid June) • 2 seeding densities (100 and 250/300
seed/m2) • 2 fertilizers (cattle manure, mineral) • N rates and forms (ammonia, urea) • 3 harvest dates (for juvenile fibre) • Herbicide resistance
Leading Canadian and European cultivars (USO 14, USO 31, Finola, Anka, Crag, Carmen, Alyssa, Chameleon, Zolo 11, Silesia, Tygra).
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General recommendations
• Seed as early as possible – (seed bed preparation, moisture, day length)
• Seeding density – affects yields of fiber (long/short) and grain
• Herbicides – hemp is an effective weed suppressor, but means of
chemical control are needed
in a tool box
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Hemp nutrition Fibre yield 2007
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Crag USO31 Alyssa Chameleon Anka S1
Yie
ld (
T/h
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M N
• Mineral – NPK – 100:50:60 kg/ha; PK for seed production • Manure is good source of nutrients, improves soil physical properties
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Harvesting • For high quality fiber – soon after pollen is shed (70-90 DAS) • For dual purpose (seed and fibre) – at seed maturity
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Retting A process of beginning to separate the bast fibres from the hurds • Types: field – dew retting, tank retting, enzymatic/chemical • Length of field retting - 14-28 days to complete • Critical for optimum fibre yield and quality
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Baling
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Fibre processing • Decortication – separation of hemp stem
ABDC facility in Vegreville
ABDC hurd
ABDC bast
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• Biocomposites • Textiles • Geotextiles • Rope and twine • Carpeting,
upholstery • Paper products • Fibreboard
Bast fibre
• Building materials • Industrial absorbents • Insulation • Animal bedding • Garden mulch • Low-grade paper • Fibreboard • Biofuels • Chemicals
• Food products (oil, milk, nuts)
• Cosmetics • Paints, varnish • Lubricants • Biodiesel • Bioplastics
Hurd
Myriads of hemp applications
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Industrial applications of biofibres
Hemcrete
Textiles
Erosion control
Autoparts
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Conclusions – Future is bright! • Hemp fibre is attractive feedstock for several major
industries (automotive, textile, construction) • Hemp grown for fiber has potential to be a
mainstream crop – opportunity of AB farmers • Fiber processing facilities (enablers of the industry)
became a reality on the Prairies • To keep momentum going we need:
• Master crop production practices (cultivation, plant protection, equipment, etc)
• Secure certified seed unrestricted availability • Continue development of cultivars for the Prairies • Disseminate information about crop advantages
(extension, business development work)
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Thank you for attention