Teagasc Research on Hemp · 2019-06-26 · Teagasc Research - Hemp 1960-1966: Hemp as a source of...
Transcript of Teagasc Research on Hemp · 2019-06-26 · Teagasc Research - Hemp 1960-1966: Hemp as a source of...
Teagasc Research on Hemp
John Finnan
Teagasc Research - Hemp
1960-1966: Hemp as a source of fibre for paper and textiles – Michael Neenan
1997-1999: Hemp as a fibre source for medium density fibre board – Jim Crowley
2008-2012: Hemp as an energy crop – John Finnan
Hemp as a source of fibre for
paper and textiles
Michael Neenan
Hemp trials 1960-1966
Paper making – unretted stalks were cut and then pulped – paper quality comparable to wood
Fibre production – stalks were retted for 10-18 days before being dried and scutched – spinning tests were carried out – quality of fibre found suitable for textile production
Fibre yields – approximately 20%
Hemp as a fibre source for
medium density fibre board
Jim Crowley
Varieties
Yield vs Variety 2008
French Monoecious Varieties
8
9
10
11
12
Early (Ferimon) Medium (Felina) Late (Futura)
Ste
m Y
ield
t D
M/h
a
Bioenergy Conference
2009
Seeding Rate
Seed Rate Knockbeg 1997-1999
10
10.5
11
11.5
12
20 30 40 50
Seed Rate (Kg/ha)
t/h
a
Bioenergy Conference
2009
Sowing Date
Sowing Date knockbeg 1998-99
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Early April Mid April Early May Mid May
t/h
a
Hemp as an energy crop
Hemp- Energy Crop
• High yields of biomass for low inputs
• 150 ha grown in 2008
• Energy crops can be included in a tillage rotation
Hemp – Break Crop
• Suppression of weeds
• Returns nutrients to the soil
• Rhizomes growth improves soil structure
Weeds Pests Diseases
• Teagasc hemp crops were grown
successfully without the use of
herbicides, fungicides or insecticides
• Broadleaf leaf control a potential issue
but early sowing in good conditions
smothers weeds
• Fungal diseases: Botrytis and
Sclerotinia present in one particularly
wet year but good yields were still
obtained
• Insect pests: No problems encountered
Hemp – Response to
Potassium
Bioenergy Conference
2009
Nitrogen Fertilizer – Index 1
Response to Nitrogen 2008
Three Sites
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0 70 98 120 150
N (kg/ha)
Ste
m Y
ield
t D
M/h
a
Nitrogen Fertilizer – Effect of
Timing
Hemp – Nutrient Advice
Hemp – Energy Crop Life cycle assessment of hemp vs other
annual and perennial energy crops
Hemp for Seed production
Hemp – Drying and
Harvesting
Hemp - Harvesting
Harvesting - Mowing
Harvesting - Raking
Harvesting - Baling
Hemp
High Yields of Stem
Low Fertilizer requirement
No/Low Agrochemicals
Improves Soil Structure
Reduces weed pressure
Thankyou
Teagasc Presentation Footer 23