Yield and Quality of Industrial Hemp Cultivars Grown in Quebec.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multipurpose crop for which interest is growing in Canada. There is, however, very limited information on optimal management strategies for eastern Canada, as well as on the local adaptation of cultivars approved in Canada. Eleven cultivars were evaluated in multiple environments in Quebec for their seed and fiber yield and quality. The effects of different N, P, and K fertilization levels were also assessed (N and K: 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha^-1 and P: 0, 25, 50, 75 and  100 kg ha^-1), as well as the effects of various seeding dates. Some cultivars demonstrated stable performance across locations and a potential use as dual purpose cultivars for both seed and fiber production. Differences between cultivars in terms of seed and fiber quality remained limited. Earlier seeding resulted in the highest seed and fiber yields. Finally, both seed and fiber yields positively responded to N fertilization, no response to P and K being observed. Results demonstrate the adaptability and potential of industrial hemp in the Province of Quebec.