Hemp is an adaptable plant with numerous applications in food, fiber and oil production. As well as these uses, hemp provides ecological and human health benefits as well as economic opportunities for farmers and consumers. Growing hemp in various environments does not require fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides and makes an excellent organic farming alternative; also acting as an excellent substitute for wood products in paper manufacturing, building materials manufacturing and clothing making processes; it even serves as an invaluable renewable energy resource in producing biofuels, gasoline and plastics production!
Hemp seed is an abundant source of proteins, fats and dietary fiber. It provides essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids essential for human health as well as high amounts of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Furthermore, hemp is an excellent source of antioxidants; specifically its phenolics which scavenge free radicals; this source phenolics accumulate most readily in hemp hulls with seed and meal also having significant concentrations.
Cannabis cultivation dates back to ancient China as early as 2800 BCE, spreading through Europe during medieval times, Chile in 1500s, and eventually North America. During World War II, hemp was promoted by U.S. government as “Hemp for Victory”, and grow extensively to provide rope, canvas and textile materials necessary for war effort efforts.
Today, hemp is grown as a commercial crop for both its fiber and seeds. Cultivation of the plant is subject to both federal and state legislation in the US; while USDA categorizes hemp as an industrial crop.
To achieve high yields, cannabis needs a fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0-7.5 and adequate drainage, along with adequate temperature conditions to grow successfully. Planting should take place between March and May in the northern hemisphere and September-November in the southern hemisphere depending on climate conditions; rows or bare ground planting can both work effectively – always remembering to mulch to prevent soil erosion!
Hemp is an annual dioecious plant with palmar composite leaves arranged alternate or opposite on stems that are either upright or slightly sagging, producing palmar composite morphology with alternate or opposite leaf patterns on upright or slightly sagging stems. Flowers develop on female-pistillate plants in long spikelike clusters containing five green-yellow sepals encasing anthers; female flowers have two pistils which form single seed compartments containing seeds.
Hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants, requiring little tillage and inputs than other break crops. Unfortunately, however, its delicate leaves are sensitive to frost damage as well as heavy rainfall. Hemp’s high yielding potential makes harvesting easy with either hand tools or mechanical harvesters; once harvested it can then be dried and pressed for fiber that can then be made into fabric similar to linen fabric.
