Nitrogen (N) fertilization plays a key role in determining the productivity and quality of horticultural crops and limited information is available on the N requirements of photoperiod-sensitive CBD hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). With the objective of providing recommendations on N fertilization to CBD hemp growers a field study was conducted in Pennsylvania to evaluate the response to N inputs of two photoperiod sensitive CBD hemp genetic resources: a clone named ‘FunDip’ (The Hemp Mine) propagated using rooted cuttings and ‘Sour Kush’ (Kayagene) propagated using feminized seeds. Both selections were planted mid-June on raised beds mulched with black polyethylene film and served by drip irrigation. Plants were established at 1.5-m in-row and 2.4-m between rows. After planting both CBD hemp selections were fertigated weekly with urea (46-0-0) using seasonal application rates equivalent of 84, 168, 252, and 336 kg/ha of N. An unfertilized control was used to account for the N available through the soil and to estimate the crop N use efficiency. Treatments were arranged according to a split plot experimental design with four replications. Nitrogen treatments were randomized within the main plots while hemp selections were randomized within subplots. Each experimental unit had a minimum of 12 plants, unfertilized border rows and in-row areas were used as buffer zones to avoid fertilizer cross-contamination between different N applications rates. Plant response to N inputs was evaluated conducting biometric assessments during the growing season and at final harvest. Representative plants were sampled to measure leaf and inflorescence, stem, and total plant fresh and dry biomass. Oven-dried plant tissue samples were analyzed for their total N content to estimate the plant N accumulation during the growing season. At every biometric assessment, soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, EC, and nitrate (NO3-) content. A quadratic response to N inputs was observed in both selections. At final harvest, the total fresh plant biomass of both genotypes was maximized with the application of 252 kg/ha of N and declined at higher N rate. However, no increase in plant dry biomass were observed in plants fertigated with over 168 kg/ha of N in both genotypes. An accumulation of NO3-N and associated increase in EC was observed with the progression of the growing seasons especially in plots fertigated with over 84-168 kg/ha of N, in Sour Kush and FunDip, respectively, which suggest an excess of N was applied with N rates exceeding 84-168 kg/ha.
