For the City Times
PORTAGE COUNTY – One hundred years ago, Wisconsin was second in the nation for growing hemp. Hemp is primarily grown for its fiber and cannabidiol oil (CBD). It is used to make ropes, plastics and other construction materials.
Although growing hemp was banned under the federal Controlled Substances Act in 1970 it has been allowed to be grown in Wisconsin thanks to the industrial hemp bill. This allows licensed growers of hemp to produce and process hemp with a concentration less than.35% of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), a psychoactive substance.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point may be able to make this a more prominent crop. The research team includes ten students and four faculty advisors in biology, chemical and natural resources. They are working together to show that hemp could be a major crop again. Hemp can also generate revenue for Wisconsin farmers and have positive environmental effects.
Our research is focused on using hemp for phytoremediation – the removal of toxins from soil, said Brian Barringer, an associate professor of biology in the College of Letters and Science and co-adviser on the project. The hemp plants absorb the pollutants and can grow in soils containing heavy metals like arsenic or lead. This would allow Wisconsin farmers to diversify their agriculture and make a profit while cleaning up the environment.
Hemp can be used in a variety of ways and could soon become a more popular crop, according to Sophia Risch, Kimberly. She is a senior biology major and natural resource planning major and is also a researcher on this project. She stated that hemp can produce more textiles per acre than four acres of forest. It grows quickly, making it a more profitable and sustainable resource.
Risch said that polluted soil accounts for one-third worldwide. Wisconsin has a problem with soil degrading and lack of nutrients. Even in poor quality soil, hemp can grow.
Barringer is licensed to grow the plants. He also uses it for a second research project on wild hemp cultivation in Wisconsin. Bryant Scharenbroch, associate professor of waste and soil resources in the College of Natural Resources at UW–Stevens Point, is co-adviser on both of these projects.
Students and faculty started to grow Colorado Cherry Wine seedlings last fall. They then transferred them into soils with different levels of fertilizer, lead, and arsenic to see how these conditions affected the plants.
Barringer said that students were involved in every aspect, from the initial conception of the experiment to the overall design of the study to its execution and interpretation.
Students have been caring for and analysing the plants over the past two semesters. They also measured the pH, electroconductivity, and rates of photosynthesis and the production of chlorophyll. The student researchers were able to quantify the amount of CBD and THC produced in flower tissue and determine how the plants took up and stored the lead and arsenic in their tissues. They are also analyzing the data and creating posters that summarize their research.
Assistant Professor Shannon Riha, Chemistry, assisted with a process called High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which separates compounds and identifies individual components like CBD and THC. Assistant Professor Ann Impullitti from biology assisted with aspects related to plant physiology. Both were co-advisers for the project.
Risch said that she enjoyed working on a project that brought together students and professors from both colleges. We need each others and our diverse perspectives. Our professors have a wealth of knowledge and 10 students from diverse backgrounds helped make the research run faster and more efficiently. This also allowed us to expand our learning.
Barringer stated that the results of this research will inform future directions in research on this economically important and sustainable crop. This is supported by both political parties and is well received by all.
Research in the Rotunda will present the research on Wednesday, March 9. The annual event, which is held at Madison’s Capitol, highlights the work of students from the UW System and gives them an opportunity to share it all with legislators.
Risch stated that it is also a chance to share the potential expansion of hemp agriculture in Wisconsin.
She stated that one of the most important aspects of research is to share your findings with others and hopefully make positive changes.
