STEVENS POINT – 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, fabrics, 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 to produce hemp with a lower than 0.3 percent concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive compound.
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 diversify Wisconsin agriculture and allow farmers to make a profit while also cleaning up the environment.
Hemp has a wide range of uses and could be a more traditional crop. Sophia Risch Kimberly, a senior biology major and natural resources planning major, is the senior member in Barringers lab and a researcher for the project. She said that a hemp acre can produce more textiles than four acres worth of forest. It grows quickly, making it a more profitable and sustainable resource.
Risch stated that one-third of the world’s soil is polluted. In Wisconsin, there is a problem with soil degradation and nutrient deficiency. 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.
Last fall, students, faculty, and others began to grow seedlings of Colorado Cherry Wine hemp, a variety commonly grown for CBD production. Then, they transferred the seedlings into soils that were treated with different amounts of arsenic, fertilizer, and lead to find out how these conditions affected their plants.
Barringer stated 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 chlorophyl. 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 analysing and interpreting the data and creating a poster that summarizes all their research.
Assistant Professor Shannon Riha, chemistry, assisted with a process called high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which separates compounds of the plant and identifies individual components such as CBD and THC. Assistant Professor Ann Impullitti (biology) assisted with aspects of plant biology. Both were co-advisers for the project.
Risch enjoyed working with students and professors from both colleges on a project. We all need each other and have different perspectives. The professors brought a wealth knowledge to the project. Having 10 students from different backgrounds made the research more efficient and faster. It also helped us expand our learning.
Barringer stated that the results of our research will inform future directions in research on this economically vital and environmentally friendly crop. This is supported by both political parties and is supported by both sides.
Research in the Rotunda will present the research on March 9. The annual event is held at Madison’s Capitol and highlights the work done by students in the UW System. It also gives them the chance to share their research 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.
Source: UW-Stevens Point