Updated July 2000
The Hemp Committee and the Research Committee of the BC Grain Producers Association have conducted trials with industrial hemp in 1998 and 1999. The purpose of the trials was to provide some varietal and agronomic information on such topics as seeding rates, fertility and seeding dates (1999) so that there would be some guidelines under Peace River conditions, for growers trying this crop.
When looking at the trials it is important to also look at the weather data for that year. Without adequate moisture, the crop may not have been able to take full advantage of the higher rates of fertilizer. Many of the new crops are more sensitive to weather conditions or require longer growing periods. Poor spring weather can cause very late emergence or poor stands further reducing the chance of fully maturing or reliable yield analysis. In 1996 most of our new crop plots drowned because of a very wet spring and hail in 1998 destroyed all our plots in the South Peace. As a result caution should be used when looking at crops with limited local data available. Test plot yields are significantly higher than field scale results due in part to higher than average fertilizer inputs and management. This is a preliminary summary, a final report will be available at a later date.
Trials in 1998
This was the first year for legal commercial production, with Health Canada issuing
licences for each phase of activity. Seed distribution and field activity had a late
start. The trials were seeded on June 3, and the hemp emerged quickly and grew well even
though growing conditions were very dry, combined with above average evaporation.
Unfortunately, the hemp trials were destroyed by a severe hailstorm on August 3. The hemp
made some recovery with limited new growth, but frost ended this development so no harvest
was possible. Other than drought, there was a problem with a lygus bug infestation that
required control by spraying. Nearby infested canola fields were the likely source.
Trials in 1999
In 1999, dry weather and a cold spring affected the emergence of some varieties and dry
conditions again affected growth and seed yield. Yields were 25 to 35% at Dawson Creek and
50% at Ft. St. John of what could be expected in a good year in other regions of western
Canada where hemp has been tried. Even under 1999 conditions some varieties reached a
height of 5 feet. Each trial with a summary of the data is presented. Besides the trials
conducted at Dawson Creek, the variety trial was also seeded at Ft. St. John.
Nine varieties were tested, six of which were in the 1998 trial. The germination rate ranged from a low of 80% up to 95%. There was a problem with seed vigor in some of the varieties. The dry cold soil conditions in spring resulted in poor emergence and stands with all the Zolo. and USO varieties and Fasamo, even though Zolo. 13 had a germination rate of 95%. The French varieties and Fin 314 produced satisfactory stands. It appears from the results of this trial and the Dates of Seeding trial that having a Seed Laboratory conduct a cold temperature germination test might be useful to indicate the presence of poor seed vigor. The poor emergence is indicated in the plant stand numbers and in subsequent yield. All the varieties tested are combination seed/fibre varieties except Fin 314, which is a short-strawed, early maturing high yielding seed variety.
It was not possible to seed the Ft. St. John trial until June 5. Plant stands were somewhat better at this location, due in part to the warmer soil with the later seeding along with a bit more precipitation in June that boosted plant development. As in Dawson Creek, plant stands were poor with USO varieties and Fasamo. Although the later seeding resulted in a better start to the Fort St. John plots, a killing frost (Sept. 28) limited seed development and all varieties but one, did not mature enough to harvest. Fin 314 was harvested Oct. 16, yielding nearly 800 kg/ha, highest of any of the plots.
All varieties tested in 1999 are on the 2000 Health Canada approved list except the Zolo.13 variety. Next to Fin 314, Fasamo is the earliest available variety tested. A summary of the variety trial data is presented in Table 1.
Consistency at Maturity: This is the variability of plant maturity within one plot. 1 - very consistent (all ripe or all green), 5 - variable (some ripe, some green and some in between all in the same sample)
Table 1 - Hemp Variety Trial at Dawson Creek in 1999
Seeded: May 18, 1999
Harvested: Oct. 14, 1999 (149 days)
| Variety | Days to Maturity |
Consist. at Maturity (1-5) | Height (cm) |
Plants per sq. meter |
1000k (g) |
Test Weight (kg/hl) |
Yield |
Yield as % FIN 314 |
THC * (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN 314-DC | 111 |
2 |
58 to 85 |
53 |
8.7 |
45.5 |
450 |
100% |
0.20 |
| FEDORA 19 | 120 |
3 |
113 to 148 |
81 |
7.8 |
35.6 |
426 |
95% |
0.10 |
| FERIMON | 120 |
3 |
114 to 143 |
53 |
7.5 |
37.2 |
372 |
83% |
< 0.05 |
| FELINA 34 | 120 |
5 |
113 to 149 |
26 |
7.4 |
31.6 |
299 |
67% |
0.10 |
| USO-31 | 114 |
2 |
110 to 151 |
13 |
9.8 |
42.1 |
265 |
59% |
< 0.05 |
| USO-14 | 113 |
2 |
110 to 135 |
17 |
10.0 |
43.8 |
263 |
59% |
< 0.05 |
| ZOLO.-11 | 114 |
4 |
115 to 151 |
27 |
8.5 |
39.4 |
232 |
52% |
< 0.05 |
| ZOLO.-13 | 117 |
3 |
116 to 155 |
22 |
8.8 |
38.1 |
219 |
49% |
< 0.05 |
| FASAMO | 116 |
1 |
105 to 133 |
12 |
6.9 |
39.0 |
214 |
47% |
< 0.05 |
| FIN 314-FSJ | 797 |
0.11 |
|||||||
Coefficient of Variation = 17.90%
*Acceptable plant tissue THC limit < 0.3%
A composite sample from all four replicates was taken for fatty acid and protein determinations, as a result within treatment variation is not measured, but it is expected to be small. Fatty acid profile, oil and protein levels are presented in Table 2.
| Variety | Palmitic % |
Stearic % |
Oleic Omega 6 % |
Linoleic Omega 3 % |
Linolenic Linolenic % |
Gamma % |
Other Oil % |
Total Oil % |
Protein % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FASAMO | 6.4 |
2.7 |
11.6 |
55.4 |
18.8 |
3.6 |
1.5 |
29.3 |
34.2 |
| FEDORA 19 | 6.4 |
2.5 |
12.3 |
56.0 |
18.3 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
28.0 |
34.2 |
| FELINA 34 | 5.9 |
2.7 |
12.1 |
56.3 |
18.0 |
2.1 |
2.9 |
28.6 |
34.3 |
| FERIMON | 5.7 |
2.7 |
12.1 |
55.6 |
18.1 |
3.2 |
2.6 |
29.0 |
34.3 |
| FIN 314 - DC | 5.8 |
2.8 |
12.1 |
54.6 |
18.1 |
3.9 |
2.7 |
28.6 |
34.3 |
| FIN 314 - FSJ | 6.1 |
2.8 |
12.5 |
54.0 |
17.9 |
4.0 |
2.7 |
28.1 |
35.2 |
| US0-14 | 6.0 |
2.7 |
12.3 |
54.9 |
18.2 |
3.3 |
2.6 |
29.3 |
33.8 |
| USO-31 | 6.1 |
2.6 |
11.9 |
55.0 |
18.4 |
3.2 |
2.8 |
29.1 |
33.5 |
| ZOLO.- 11 | 6.0 |
2.7 |
12.2 |
56.2 |
18.2 |
2.1 |
2.6 |
28.9 |
34.2 |
| ZOLO.- 13 | 6.0 |
2.7 |
12.0 |
56.3 |
18.5 |
1.9 |
2.6 |
28.8 |
33.9 |
*THC - non detectible(<0.05) in all seed samples
Fatty acid profiles were also determined on the date of Seeding and fertility trials. See Table 2a.
Dates of Seeding: There was only small variations in fatty acid profile related to dates with other and total oil and protein higher with the last seeding date. Oleic and Gamma linolenic were slightly higher and other fatty acids lower with the May 29 seeding, which was also the date with the highest seed yield in this trial.
Fertility Trial:Only four out of nine treatments were selected for analyses to see if fatty acid profile would be affected. The addition of potassium appeared to increase the level of Linolenic (Omega 3) and to a lesser extent oleic acid; while increasing phosphorus rates decreased gamma linolenic acid levels.
Seeding Dates - FIN 314 - Dawson Creek
Fertility - Felina 34 - Dawson Creek
| Treatment Seeding Date | Palmitic % | Stearic % | Oleic Omega 6 % | Linoleic Omega 3 % | Linolenic Linolenic % | Gamma % | Other Oil % | Total Oil % | Protein % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | 5.8 |
2.8 |
12.3 |
54.5 |
18.1 |
4.0 |
2.5 |
31.8 |
31.9 |
| May 29 | 6.0 |
2.8 |
12.5 |
54.6 |
18.1 |
4.1 |
1.9 |
32.5 |
32.0 |
| June 11 | 5.9 |
2.8 |
12.0 |
54.6 |
18.1 |
3.9 |
2.7 |
34.7 |
32.5 |
| Fertility | |||||||||
| 0 - 0 - 0 | 6.0 |
2.7 |
12.1 |
55.3 |
18.2 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
27.0 |
33.5 |
| 60 - 30 - 50 | 6.1 |
2.6 |
12.3 |
55.0 |
18.5 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
27.9 |
31.5 |
| 60 - 60 - 0 | 5.9 |
2.7 |
12.1 |
55.8 |
18.0 |
2.1 |
3.4 |
27.6 |
32.6 |
| 60 - 60 - 50 | 6.0 |
2.5 |
12.3 |
55.8 |
18.6 |
1.9 |
2.9 |
27.8 |
33.2 |
Fertilizer applied in Date of Seeding Trial: 29N - 45P - 21K - 8.4S
Three seeding rates were tested 10, 20 and 30 kg/ha. Under the drought conditions experienced in 1999, the 20 kg/ha rate produced the highest yield.
Table 3: Seeding Rate Trial at Dawson Creek in 1999
Seeded: May 18, 1999
Harvested: Oct. 20, 1999 (156 days)
| Treatment | Low Height (cm) |
High Height (cm) |
Plants per sq. meter |
1000k Weight (g) |
Test Weight (kg/hl) |
Yield (kg/ha) |
L.S.D. Test |
Yield as % of 20 kg/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kg/ha | 113 |
156 |
26 |
7.0 |
29.8 |
282 |
B |
87% |
| 20 kg/ha | 104 |
144 |
53 |
5.6 |
29.3 |
324 |
A | 100% |
| 30 kg/ha | 98 |
138 |
81 |
6.1 |
28.2 |
299 |
AB | 92% |
Coefficient of Variation = 6.60%
Soil tests at the site of these trials indicated a low level of available nutrients. The drought of 1999 limited the response to fertilizer particularly nitrogen, so that there was no response to increasing nitrogen from 60 to 120 kg/ha. Increasing phosphorus from 30 to 60 kg/ha only increased yield when combined with 50 kg/ha of potash. Potash increased yield when levels of both nitrogen and phosphorus were equal. As a general guideline, a fertility program similar to what one would use on canola would be appropriate in the Peace until more specific information is obtained. The results of this trial appear in Table 4.
Table 4; Fertilizer Rate Trial at Dawson Creek in 1999
Seeded: May 18, 1999
Harvested: Oct. 19, 1999 (154 days)
| Treatment | Low Height (cm) |
High Height (cm) |
Plants per sq. meter |
Yield (kg/ha) |
L.S.D. Test |
Yield as % of 0-0-0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60-60-50 | 108 |
154 |
52 |
527 |
A | 168% |
| 120-60-50 | 110 |
149 |
49 |
450 |
AB | 144% |
| 60-60-0 | 106 |
143 |
53 |
426 |
B |
136% |
| 120-60-0 | 110 |
145 |
42 |
409 |
BC |
131% |
| 60-30-50 | 106 |
149 |
42 |
394 |
BC |
126% |
| 120-30-0 | 108 |
145 |
41 |
391 |
BC |
125% |
| 60-30-0 | 110 |
154 |
44 |
376 |
BCD | 120% |
| 120-30-50 | 103 |
144 |
46 |
358 |
CD | 114% |
| 0 - 0 - 0 | 99 |
134 |
47 |
313 |
D | 100% |
Coefficient of Variation = 15.73%
The unavailability of some seed varieties and some licensing delays resulted in the first seeding on May 18. The other two followed on May 29 and June 11. If possible it would have been of interest to have an earlier date (first week in May) in the trial, but under the cold dry conditions that existed in 1999 an earlier seeding would have been of little use. Work elsewhere suggests hemp should not be seeded until the soil is above 6° C. It is important to see how seeding date influences plant height and yield in the Peace River Region north of the 55th parallel. In southern Manitoba, later seeding reduced plant height but did not significantly reduce yield. The expected response might be different with the long days in the Peace.
Four varieties with a range of genetic makeup were used in the trial. The results indicate that under 1999 conditions, May 29 was the best seeding date. It will also be noted in Table 4 that plant height did decline with later seeding. The plant counts indicate the two varieties USO 31 and Fasamo which had poor seed vigor and emergence performed better after the soil temperature warmed up as indicated in the May 29 and June 11 seeding. However, seed vigor and emergence still did not equal that of Fedora 19 and Fin 314. Even these two varieties which had good seed vigor had improved emergence with May 29 seeding compared to May 18. However, Fedora 19 declined in yield with delayed seeding date due to it’s longer maturity requirement which resulted in frost damage with the seeding dates after May 18. The results are presented in Table 5.
Table 5: Dates of Seeding Trial at Dawson Creek in 1999
Harvested: Oct. 20, 1999
| Seeding Date |
Variety | Days to Maturity |
Low Height (cm) |
High Height (cm) |
Plants per sq. meter |
Yield (kg/ha) |
Yield as % of May 18 |
L.S.D. Test |
Coefficient of Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 18 |
USO-31 | 115 |
113 |
149 |
8 |
206 |
100% |
B |
14.55% |
May 18 |
FASAMO | 115 |
98 |
140 |
13 |
240 |
100% |
B |
|
May 18 |
FEDORA 19 | 121 |
106 |
146 |
43 |
408 |
100% |
A |
|
May 18 |
FIN 314 | 111 |
69 |
88 |
48 |
397 |
100% |
A |
|
May 29 |
USO-31 | 111 |
99 |
129 |
30 |
322 |
156% |
B |
7.62% |
May 29 |
FASAMO | 110 |
93 |
119 |
28 |
330 |
137% |
B |
|
May 29 |
FEDORA 19 | 118 |
99 |
130 |
70 |
280 |
69% |
B |
|
May 29 |
FIN 314 | 107 |
59 |
79 |
83 |
448 |
113% |
A |
|
June 11 |
USO-31 | 84 |
119 |
20 |
224 |
109% |
B |
21.63% | |
June 11 |
FASAMO | 69 |
98 |
28 |
200 |
83% |
B |
||
June 11 |
FEDORA 19 | 85 |
110 |
65 |
216 |
53% |
B |
||
June 11 |
FIN 314 | 40 |
59 |
78 |
375 |
94% |
A |
||
A small organic trial was added since there was a qualifying plot area adjacent to the other trials and the market for organic hemp seed is strong. Yields were very low due to the drought and the low fertility of the plot area. No additional organic amendments to improve fertility were added. The results are presented in Table 6.
Table 6: Organic Trial at Dawson Creek in 1999
| Variety |
Low Height (cm) |
High Height (cm) |
Plants per sq. Meter |
Plot Yield (g) |
Yield (kg/ha) |
L.S.D. Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN 314 | 33 |
63 |
70 |
128 |
214 |
A |
| FEDORA 19 | 64 |
114 |
60 |
115 |
192 |
B |
| FASAMO | 56 |
99 |
18 |
51 |
86 |
C |
| USO-31 | 69 |
118 |
8 |
36 |
61 |
D |
Coefficient of Variation = 11.15%
or write to Manager
Industrial Hemp Regulation Program
Office of Controlled Substances
Healthy Environments and Consumer Protection Branch, Health Canada
A.L.: 3502A, 123 Slater Street, 2nd floor
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1B9
TEL: (613) 954-6524 FAX: (613) 941-5360
Weather Data for Dawson Creek and Fort St. John 1992 - 1999
Brent Washington, Chair Hemp subcommittee of BCGPA.
TEL: (250) 843-7618
Raymond Verboven, Managing Technician, Research Committee BCGPA
TEL: (250) 784-2234 FAX: (250) 784-2299
Jack Dobb, Consultant, and Licence holder.
TEL: (250) 384-7044 FAX: (250) 384-7022
Kerry Clark
BCMAL - Crop Development Specialist
Dawson Creek, B.C. . . . (250) 784-2240
