Issue No. 445
Eileen A. Buss, Ph.D. and Paul E. Skelley, Ph.D.
November, 2023
Introduction
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L., Rosales: Cannabaceae) is an upright, annual herb that originated in Europe, India and China (McPartland 2017). It can grow throughout the world in temperate and tropical climates (Dodge 1898). Its cultivation has a long and checkered history in the United States, dating back to the early American colonies in Virginia (Deitch 2003, Johnson 2019). It is used for fiber (e.g., rope, linen, paper, livestock bedding), seed or oil (e.g., food, flavorings, soap), or cannabidiol (CBD) extracts (Clarke 1999). It can be grown hydroponically or in soil, in protected areas (e.g., greenhouses) or in open fields. The cultural practices (e.g., fertilization) used to produce a crop can affect plant susceptibility to different pests and diseases (McPartland 1999). The arthropod pest complex, specifically, can also vary with the hemp variety, plant growth stage, plant part (e.g., seeds or stems) to be harvested, as well as geographic location. Guidelines for optimal plant growth and pest management within different regions of the U.S. are still being determined (Cranshaw et al. 2019).