The current paper discusses the characteristics of principal growth stages of hemp (Canabis sativa), provides a  brief description of these stages and of the coding system according to the BBCH scale. The growing season of hemp is divided into nine principal growth stages: germination and sprouting (0), leaf development (1), formation of lateral shoots (2), stem elongation (3), inflorescence emergence (5), flowering (6), development of fruit (7), ripening of fruit (8) and senescence (9). The principal growth stages are subdivided into secondary stages based on their main distinctive features. The classification system of hemp growth stages presented in the paper is designed for hemp growers and researchers, including plant breeders, physiologists, entomologists and other agricultural producers. Using the  uniform coding system of the  phenological stages of hemp is a valuable tool to ensure a more efficient planning and implementation of crop and soil management practices and techniques.

To create an industrial hemp variety of the Central European ecological and geographical type with a high cannabigerol content and universal application. Methods. Breeding (self-pollination, creation of artificial populations, selection), field, biochemical (thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography of cannabinoid compounds), instrumental and technological assessment of fibre quality, and statistical methods. Results. Variety ‘Vik 2020’ was obtained as a result of creation of artificial populations. The plants are characterized by higher content of cannabigerol (1.034 ± 0.0323%), and almost zero of other secondary metabolites, such as cannabidivarin, cannabidiol, cannabichromene and psychotropic tetrahydrocannabinol (0.003 ± 0.0011; 0.018 ± 0.0080; 0.012 ± 0.0027, and 0.005 ± 0.0012%, respectively). The t rait of cannabigerol content is quite stable within the population and is not correlated with the trait of tetrahydrocannabinol content (r = -0.23). TLC showed that cannabigerol accumulated mainly in the form of cannabigerolic acid and to a lesser extent as a neutral compound, which is consistent with the theory that this substance is a precursor for the synthesis of other cannabinoids. According to the results of the competitive variety test, when growing to obtain fibre and seeds, the variety features short height, specifically significantly lower total (206.4 cm) and technical stem length (135.6 cm) compared to the standard variety, significantly higher inflorescence length (70.8 cm), which determine the formation of the significant yield of biomass suitable for pharmaceutical use and high seed yield (0.98 t/ha). The yield of total fibre was the same as in the standard variety (29.0%), but its quality and technological value for primary processing were higher. The variety had a homogeneous sex structure, resistance to bioltic and abiotic environmental factors. Plants reached biological maturity in 116 days (BBCH 89). This cultivar is recommended for obtaining seeds, quality fiber and potentially cannabigerol (on condition of changes in legislation). Conclusions. The efficiency of using self-pollinating lines in breeding with their subsequent combining into a synthetic population and improving selection was proved by the case of a new variety of industrial hemp ‘Vik 2020’, characterized by an increased content of cannabigerol and the absence of psychotropic properties

Utilization of hemp stalks (Cannabis sativa L.) for energy purposes is a promising field of its application, so long as it is possible to use for fuel both whole stalk and waste products after its processing (awnchaff). Hemp stalk has a high calorific value, which is slightly inferior to coal, but exceed those for soft wood and peat. Despite intensive breeding works aimed at reducing tetrahydrocannabinol content, it became possible to keep the primary value of the crop that is an ability to form a good yield of stalks and fibre. As a result of many years of breeding work obtained were non-narcotic monoecious hemp varieties Hliana, Hlukhivskiy 46, Hlukhivski 51 with fibre content 30.0 to 38.9%. Of these, the most promising for the fibre production is variety Hlukhivski 51. By fibre yield, this variety exceeds standard one by 1.5 t/ha.

Aim. To investigate hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) collection accessions of different genetic and eco-geographical origin in terms of major cannabinoid compound contents – cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabigerol (CBG), to establish chemotypes of the accessions and correlations between cannabinoid contents. Results and Discussion. Fifty five hemp accessions were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. The identified cannabinoid compounds showed variability. The CBD content ranged from 0.0052 to 1.7251 %; the THC content  from 0.0000 (complete absence) to 0.0775 % (does not exceed the law-allowable level); and the CBG content  from 0.0000 (complete absence) to 0.8892 %. Twenty-one accessions (38 %), ВО203327, ЮС 12, UF0600047, Odnodomni 8, ВО78142, ВО5799, UF0600145, UF0600146, ВО2539, UF0600183, YuS 58, Malo-Perevozskaya, Hibryd 3, Yuzhnaya Bolshe-Pisarevskaya, Almetyevskaya, UF0600253, Santika, Lipko, Silvana, Fedora 17, and Vera, were distinguished due to high CBD content. Nine accessions (16.4 %), YuSO 31, Hlukhivski 51, Hliana, Kirovskaya К-314, Mykolaichyk, Artemida, Harmoniia, Mih 2, and Hlukhivski 85 had no THC at al. Three accessions (5.4 % of the total), UF0600253, Mozdokskaya and VIK CBN, were distinguished because of high CBG content. Conclusions. The accessions distinguished were recommended for use in practical breeding, in particular for developing medicinal varieties with a high content of CBD and/or wiithout CBG or THC. The analyzed accessions belonged to 3 hemp сhemotypes: III (36 accessions or 65.5 %), IV (1 accession or 1.8 %) and V (18 accessions or 32.7 % of the total). Strong correlations between CBD and THC and no relationships between CBG and other cannabinoid compounds have been established. Chemotype III accessions showed weaker correlations compared with chemotype V. This pattern should be taken into account, when selecting starting forms for breeding.

Aim. With the organization of Research Station first, then Institute of Hemp it was predicted to increase productivity and improve service of hemp-growing branch. Methods. Through traditional breeding different ecotypes of hemp were formed with which was started scientific breeding by methods of selection and hybridization. Results. For 40 years of selection the fiber content in stems of dioecious hemp was increased from 13.9 to 33.5 %. By the method of acclimati-zation the variety US-1, and hybridization – US-6 were created, which united a high yield of stems with high fiber content. Breeders also realized the dream of farmers about creation of monoecious hemp, which opened the way to the mechanization of harvesting. Addicts are "awakened" in nature lulling hemp ability to narcotic excitement; the breeders have forced a non-narcotic hemp, while maintaining their economic characteristics and resistance to damage by pests and diseases. Conclusions. Modern hemp varieties are able to form a crop straw, fiber and seeds within 6.0–11.5; 1.7–2.5 and 0.6–1.2 t/ha, respectively, for the minimum content or complete absence of the main component of cannabinoids – THC. Keywords: local and breeding varieties, monoecious and dioecious hemp, crop capacity, non-narcotic sign.