Hemp as a raw material for industrial applications

Abstract

Developed countries need to promote alternatives to crops produced in excess (such as cereals), and cultivation with limited environmental impact. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a potentially profitable crop, fitting into sustainable farming systems. Interest in "new" fibre crops is in fact increasing, to find alternatives to a high-input crop such as cotton, or to relieve the pressure of the paper industry on remaining natural forests. Besides, innovative applications are provided by hemp in renewable raw materials (oils from seeds and essential oils or secondary metabolites from inflorescences for food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry; straw and hurds for the building industry and for energy production). The development of more specialized hemp plants, needs a better understanding and control of metabolism. Since the renewed interest for this crop is increasing all over the world, it is important to update the knowledge on this crop, to understand whether it is a really sustainable, alternative and economically rewarding crop, and what contribution plant breeding, agronomical practice, and processing techniques are making, or could further make, to improve the relevant traits. The symposium "Hemp: perspectives for advanced utilization", held in Bologna (Italy) on March 2004, was an opportunity to update the research carried out in different fields.

Effect of Vermicompost Extract and Vermicompost-Derived Humic Acids on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Hemp

“…Due to different reasons, hemp cultivation and production drastically decreased after the Second World War, especially, in North America (Callaway, 2004). Recent renewed interest in hemp has been due to the need for sustainable production of multipurpose natural resources as an alternative source for industrial fibre (Ranalli and Venturi, 2004). The use of hemp stalks includes textiles, paper production, fuel, biodegradable plastics, construction materials, etc.…”

Inter simple sequence repeats separate efficiently hemp from marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.)

“…It has the potential to be used in phytoremediation to remove heavy metal contaminants from the soil. Additionally, it can be used to prevent soil erosion due to long tap root development, while improving soil by means of crop in rotation (Ranalli and Venturi, 2004).…”

Cultivo y usos etnobotánicos del cañamo (<em>Cannabis Sativa</em> L.) en la ciencia árabe (siglos VIII-XVII)

“…Entre otras, la médica y farmacológica, interesada en su enorme potencial terapéutico aun por conocer (Alexander, 2016;Lanz et al, 2016;Murnion, 2015;Ruchlemer et al, 2015;Juurlink, 2014;Grant, 2013 ;De Vries et al, 2012;Russo, 2011), la agronómica, interesada en los prometedores beneficios económicos de su explotación agrícola Laursen, 2015;Liu et al, 2015;Salentijn et al, 2015;Karus et al, 2004;Ranalli et al, 2004;Lash, 2002Lash, /2003, o la etnobotánica, interesada en el estudio comprensivo de todos los aspectos relativos a la planta y de sus relaciones con la humanidad desde la prehistoria (Small, 2015;Warf, 2014;Clarke y Merlin, 2013;Kuddus et al, 2013;Estrada-Castillón et al, 2012;Kaushal, 2012;Merlin, 2003).…”