{"id":2198,"date":"2021-11-08T20:50:16","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T20:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/?p=2198"},"modified":"2021-11-09T14:25:28","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T14:25:28","slug":"next-first-tuesday-statewide-hemp-zoom-update-from-texas-am-agrilife-november-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/2021\/11\/08\/next-first-tuesday-statewide-hemp-zoom-update-from-texas-am-agrilife-november-2\/","title":{"rendered":"October\/November AgriLife Hemp Update for Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Calvin Trostle, Professor & Extension Agronomist\/AgriLife State Hemp Specialist, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

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We continue the statewide Zoom updates we began in March.\u00a0 The September update will be Tuesday, November 2, 5:15-6:30 PM Central Time<\/u>.\u00a0 We will not meet in December but resume in 2022 on January 4.<\/p>\n

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October topics will largely follow this newsletter.\u00a0 And there will be plenty of time for discussion.<\/p>\n

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To join use:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/agrilife.zoom.us\/j\/94133207184?pwd=dDdRT0Q0ZkVRV1M3VW5vUzVLanBIQT09<\/a><\/p>\n

This month\u2019s meeting does not require registration.<\/p>\n

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Observations of Trichomes in CBD Hemp<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have a question for our growers.<\/u>\u00a0 I record trichome color (amber, milky, clear) when I collect samples for CBD\/THC analysis.\u00a0 I get seed in my CBD trial as two of four varieties are straight run seed for CBD anyway.\u00a0 I am amazed at the trichomes on the “glumes”\u2021<\/sup> (that is what I call them) that enfold each seed (Fig. 1, a stock photo likely of an unpollinated female).\u00a0 Those structures exist in unpollinated floral structures, too, which is where the CBD and other cannabinoids are present. This is the heart of most CBD production to date from female production.\u00a0 The glumes likewise are present in unpollinated female floral structures, there is no seed inside.\u00a0 I was struck this past week how many and full looking these trichomes were where there was seed.<\/p>\n

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Fig. 1<\/strong>.\u00a0 Trichomes on female hemp floral structures including \u201cglumes\u201d that enfold any developing seed if pollenated.\u00a0 (Stock photo.)<\/p>\n

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I don\u2019t have any unpollinated CBD hemp here at Lubbock to compare.\u00a0 So, my question for growers:\u00a0 if you are able to compare glumes for pollinated (have seed) and unpollinated CBD hemp, do you notice any possible difference in the number or \u2018fullness\u2019 of trichomes on glumes with and without seed?\u00a0 I am guessing that the glumes, whether they are pollinated and enfold a seed or not, would be the same.\u00a0 But do they respond differently?<\/p>\n

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On the same varieties I am studying I have also been impressed with the number of trichomes on the sugar leaves emerging from the cola.<\/p>\n

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\u2021<\/sup>Per the discussion about the female floral structures and glumes (this term is used in other crops like wheat and grain sorghum), maybe that is not the right word.\u00a0 If you have a good document or reference that has helped you understand Cannabis<\/em> growth and development and describes the plant physiology, please share it with me<\/strong><\/u>.\u00a0 I will look through your suggestions and choose a couple of good citations to share in the January hemp update.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYu Ma\u201d Chinese Fiber Variety Grows Well but is Hot for THC\u2014Even in the Vegetative Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I discussed fiber variety Yu Ma in my October Zoom update.\u00a0 Samples of Yu Ma from Lubbock and Stiles Farm (Williamson Co.) have tested from 0.4 to 0.8%, on average, for THC (Table 1).\u00a0 In some of these samples there were no reproductive structures (Fig. 2).\u00a0 Comparisons have included vegetative only vs. samples that had some male reproductive growth (Fig. 3).\u00a0 No sample contained any female reproductive structures.\u00a0 (Tests that do are awaiting chemical analyses.)<\/p>\n

This came as a surprise.\u00a0 In 2020 another Chinese fiber variety, \u201cJin Ma\u201d tested hot (1.14% THC; the other five fiber varieties tested \u22640.07% THC) in our official sample in Lubbock AgriLife\u2019s hemp fiber trial.\u00a0 In China low THC at the level U.S. federal law stipulates for legal hemp (\u22640.300% THC) is not a significant regulatory concern.\u00a0 They do not screen for low THC.<\/p>\n

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Fig. 2<\/strong>.\u00a0 Chinese hemp fiber line Yu Ma with normal growth relative to photoperiod at Lubbock, TX.\u00a0 No reproductive growth visible, Sept. 2, 2021.<\/p>\n

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Table 1<\/strong>.\u00a0 High THC is found in standard samples (some male reproductive growth and undifferentiated terminal growth, which is still vegetative) vs. vegetative only terminal growth.\u00a0 No female reproductive growth was present.\u00a0 This data suggests, in spite of Yu Ma\u2019s good germination, seedling vigor, and normal reproductive growth (no premature flowering), the variety is not viable for Texas hemp production.\u00a0 (Source:\u00a0 October 4, 2021 \u201cFirst Tuesday\u201d AgriLife hemp Zoom update.)<\/p>\n

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By current law the above hemp samples over 0.3% THC (plus experimental error, in this case about 0.02%) must be destroyed.<\/p>\n

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The formula which hemp labs use to calculate total THC is:<\/p>\n

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%THC (\u03949) Total = %THC\u03949<\/sub> + (0.877 X %THCacid<\/sub>)<\/p>\n

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\u0394 is the Greek symbol \u2018delta.\u2019\u00a0 This equation includes the acid form of THC, often called THCA, which can naturally convert to delta-9 THC through a chemical process called decarboxylation.\u00a0 By law, THCA must be included in total THC.\u00a0 Note that total THC does not<\/em> include delta-8 THC (see below for more about delta-8).<\/p>\n

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Fig. 3<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0A closeup of male reproductive growth that was observed on Yu Ma at samplings on Sept. 17, 2021.<\/p>\n

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Texas A&M AgriLife Hemp Trial Work\u2014Lubbock, Thrall, Weslaco<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Several small trials are in place:<\/p>\n