The effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the morphology and anatomy of industrial fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) grown in northern British Columbia, Canada.

The effect of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the morphology and anatomy of 'Cannabis sativa' var. 'f~rina ' was investigated in both a greenhouse and field setting in Northern British Columbia. Plots (90 stems/m2) treated with 0, 75, 150 or 300 kg N/ha of inorganic nitrogen or fishmeal, bloodmeal or sea star organic fertilizer were also replicated with 90 kg inorganic P2 O5/ha application. The application of 150 and/or 300 kg N/ha of any nitrogen fertilizer type benefited field-grown plant morphology, secondary phloem fibre and xylem development, while greenhouse-grown plant morphology, secondary phloem fibre and xylem were positively influenced by 90 kg P 2O5/ha. Primary phloem fibre characteristics of both greenhouse and field-grown plants were benefited by the absence of either nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer. This study determined that organic can be used in place of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer for the production of a majority of fibre characteristics of 'C. sativa' var. f~rina.