New Technology of Harvesting Hemp Grown for Seed.

The expected growth of hemp cultivation world wide for industrial purposes will clearly cause a growing demand for sowing material. Hence, there is a need for the development of a new, more efficient method for harvesting hemp seeds. The technology described in this paper, elaborated at the Institute of Natural Fibres (INF), presents the new concept of a panicle cutting device that involves mowing and cutting stems into smaller sections. The cut-off panicles are collected on a trailer hooked behind the mower. The panicles harvested during the flowering phase are used for the production of essential oils, while those harvested in full maturity are the source for sowing seed. In the latter case, the panicles—before ginning—must be initially dried in conditions allowing for preservation of good germination capacity. The seed must be cleaned immediately and dried further to 12% moisture content and protected with fungicidal treatments. After mowing and cutting stems are swathed in the field and left for retting or collected—after drying— using agricultural presses and then decorticated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]