Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
20-25 kg of CaO
the start of the spring, on ground that has been
dried, will ensure that weeds germinate. These
can then be destroyed easily, either mechani-
cally or by means of a non-selective weedkilling
treatment. Where the ground has been poorly
prepared and has compacted areas, it is advis-
able to break up these zones in order to allow
plants to root correctly. For the driest areas,
the stubble should be ploughed up in the
autumn in order to help preserve water.
No data currently exist on hemp's requirement
for sulfur and other micro- or oligo-elements. It
would appear that where sulfur is deficient, it is
the production of hemp seed that suffers.
The period of contribution and formula-
tion of the fertilizer must be adapted to the soil
and climate. The objective is to provide the
plant with as much nutrition as is required to
meet its growing needs during the most active
phase of growth between the middle of May
and the end of June.
The use of organic manure is possible
within reason. A late mineralization of the
organic matter at the end of the vegetation
period can lead, in some years, to difficulties in
achieving the maturity needed for hemp seed
to be harvested in good condition (trials con-
ducted by Trieves, 2003 and 2004). Hemp
plants are able to continue growing for several
weeks if the conditions are favourable; nitro-
gen supplementation plays an essential role in
this phenomenon. The management of organic
manure brings with it concerns over how to
choose and time nutritional contributions so
that the plant is able to meet its needs at the
right time and in the right quantity.
2-4 kg of MgO
SOWING . Producers claiming subsidies are
obliged to use certified seed stock only. The
use of farm-produced seed, even if it originates
from authorized varieties, does not qualify for
CAP subsidies.
Choice of variety. The choice of variety from
within the list of authorized varieties published
annually in the journal of the European Union is
based on the markets and chosen objectives.
The main supplier is the Central Cooperative
of Hemp Seed (Coopérative Centrale des Produc-
teurs de Semences de Chanvre) for French
varieties (produced by the FNPC) and USO31
(a Ukrainian variety).
Other listed varieties can also be sown,
providing they are multiplied and available
from producers and/or importers.
The quality of the seed falls if it is poorly
stored. This does not pose a problem for seeds
obtained that same year. Where unused seed is
stored, however, it must be placed in a cold
room. Ideally, germination rates should be ascer-
tained for seed stored on the farm and storage
for more than 1 year should be avoided.
Preparation of the soil
As with all spring crops, the preparation for
sowing needs to ensure that the soil structure is
not compacted, while still being sufficiently
smooth. The taproot, while powerful, is
stopped easily in its development by obstacles
such as compaction layers, or 'pans'. In such
case, the taproot takes on an L-shape, which
reduces its efficacy in times of drought.
Thus, ground that contains a large pro-
portion of clay should be ploughed or harrowed
at the end of autumn or the start of winter. This
will allow the ground to winter and will opti-
mize its structure. Where the soil is silty,
ploughing can wait until spring. Ploughing can
be restarted once the ground is dry. A false
sowing is advised in order to manage weeds
and favour a warming up of the seedbed.
Simplified cultivation techniques produce
identical results, providing all other conditions
remain unchanged. A superficial treatment at
Date of sowing. The sowing date is dictated on
the one hand by the temperature of the ground
and on the other by the need for the plants
to develop sufficiently to achieve full flower-
ing. The soil temperature must be sufficiently
elevated (8-10°C) to ensure that vegetative
growth gets under way quickly and any compe-
tition from weeds is limited. In practice, hemp
is sown from mid-March in early zones up until
the last week of May. Attention must be given
to the quality of seedbed preparation because
seeding in wet soil produces poor stands. It is
better to plant a little later, as long as there is
season enough.
 
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