ROLE OF MULCHES AND PLANTING TIME IN ENHANCING PRODUCTION OF CLONALLY OR SEED PROPAGATED INDUSTRIAL HEMP IN TENNESSEE

The overall goal of this project is to establish best management agronomic practices for economically profitable production of floral industrial hemp that includes higher cannabinoid yields within the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compliance limits, better pest (including weeds) and disease control strategies, lower input costs, and relatively higher farm incomes among the small, medium, and historically underserved farmers in the state of Tennessee. The majority of these farmers have been significantly affected by various regulatory changes and lack of clarity on industrial hemp production and market uncertainties. The project fits well within the primary goals of Tennessee State University (TSU), a historically black land grant institution, that provides quality research, technical support, and training assistance to small, medium size farms and rural communities across the State of Tennessee for economic and environmental sustainability. Given that industrial hemp is an emerging and unique high-value economic specialty crop, this project is an excellent fit for the University and College of Agriculture's medium- and long-term goals in promoting regional, national, and international agricultural development, and will tremendously strengthen TSU's capacity to proactively contribute to science.Specific objectives of the project include the following:To assess the effects of timing of planting combined with black plastic and straw mulch on hemp started as clones or seed on southern blight and other disease prevalence, insect pests, weeds, cannabinoid production and THC complianceScreening of floral industrial hemp cultivars under organic or conventional management practices to assess the impacts of cultivar by cropping system management on diseases, insect pests, weeds, cannabinoid production and THC complianceEvaluate the potential of no-till transplanting of floral industrial hemp in cereal rye, hairy vetch, or a combination of the two cover crops terminated by a roller crimper, on pests and diseases prevalence, weeds, cannabinoid production and THC complianceEconomic analysis of the different production methods to determine the cost-benefit analysis of the different production methods.