Innovative solutions for the seeder in hemp cultivation using the strip-till method aim to enhance seed yield and quality while safeguarding soil, water, and the climate

The change in legal regulations in Poland and worldwide enables large-scale hemp cultivation. Simultaneously, there is a growing market demand for products derived from hemp.

• The pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and construction industries, in particular, exhibit significant demand. Hemp has become highly popular in dietetics.
• The increasing demand for hemp signifies that larger areas will be designated for cultivation. Research activities related to crop yield, quality, and the modernization and construction of new agricultural machinery for hemp cultivation have intensified.
• It is desirable to create a cultivation and seeding unit using strip-till technology with variable seed and fertilizer dosing, allowing seed sowing at different row spacings and utilizing field mapping (GPS systems).

The construction of a prototype machine with specific parameters will undergo development, taking into account new solutions not previously reported in Poland. 

These solutions will involve:

• the utilization and enhancement of the effectiveness of the coulter for introducing seeds into the soil,
• the adjustment of seed sowing depth, and the adaptability to soil conditions, 
• the possibility of applying mineral fertiliser and sowing seeds at the same time.

An essential phase of this work will also include evaluating the suitability of the proposed unit for diverse soil conditions. Cultivating hemp is advantageous in several ways. It does not necessitate fertilization or the use of plant protection products, and its root system, extending two and a half meters deep, enriches the soil. As a result, farmers eagerly cultivate it to rejuvenate soil vitality. Flowers containing seeds are processed into health-promoting products, and dried leaves are used for making tea. After harvesting, substantial quantities of straw can serve as fertilizer, be transformed into paper pulp, or even be utilized in the production of hempcrete.

Project activities

1. Project for a cultivation and seeding unit (development of a conceptual diagram, creation of technical documentation). Development of control algorithms, selection of controllers, measurement converters, and executive components. Implementation of designed components and structures. Assembly of components and the control system, programming, and configuration of controllers. Preliminary testing of the unit's operation and device validation.
2. Soil research according to the research plan. Selection of key parameters for hemp sowing (inter-row spacing, distance between seeds in a row, sowing depth, fertilizer dosage). Subsequently, sowing will be carried out according to the research plan.
3. Field studies on hemp germination in the first year of research. Initial studies on the growth and quality of plants in accordance with the research plan.
4. Soil research according to the research plan. Selection of key parameters for hemp sowing (inter-row spacing, distance between seeds in a row, sowing depth, fertilizer dosage). Subsequently, sowing will be carried out according to the research plan.
5. Field studies on hemp germination in the second year of research. Second-stage studies on the growth and quality of plants in accordance with the survey plan.

Practice summary

The prototype cultivation-seeding aggregate is suitable for sowing hemp seeds in strip-till systems, which combine the environmental benefits of no-till with the advantages of localized soil preparation. These types of machines are increasingly used as combined machines enabling simultaneous soil cultivation, fertilization, and sowing. The designed and tested cultivation-seeding aggregate can also be used for growing other crops (not only hemp).

The main advantages of this solution are:

• reduced working time,
• energy savings,
• financial savings,
• reduced soil compaction,
• simplification of cultivation work,
• simultaneous soil preparation, fertilization, and seed sowing,
• shorter time needed to start sowing operations,
• possibility of optimal soil mixing in the presence of crop residues and stubble,
• increased work safety by reducing the risk of accidents due to fewer operations performed.