The Performance of Cannabis Sativa (HEMP) as a Fibre Source for Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF).

摘要

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) was successfully grown over a three-yearperiod without the use of agrochemicals, and with a relatively low input ofnitrogen fertilizer at 120 kg/ha (96 units/ac). The yields achieved wereencouraging at an average of 12.5 t/ha of whole stems at 15% m.c. over the threeyears. Sowing in early- to mid-April at a seed rate of half the conventionalrecommended rate of 50 kg/ha proved to be sufficient to achieve the maximumyield of stems where long fibre yield and finess (quality) are not required. Forthis study the hemp was produced as a raw material for the fibre board industry,where the whole stem and not just the long blast fibre is required. Hemp isrelatively disease-free with Botrytis and Sclerotinia the only diseases encountered.For both, spraying is not possible due to the height of the crop. Infection rarelycauses economic losses.Harvesting hemp proved difficult with conventional farm harvesting equipment.The development of the hemp crop as an industrial raw material will require thedevelopment of harvesting, chopping and storage techniques that can cope withthe height, bulk and fibrous nature of the crop.