Dr Induni Mahisha Kumari Vijaya Kumar1, Mr Keval Patel2, Prof Lindsay Hutley2, Dr Edward Mwando1
1Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Berrimah, Australia, 2Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australia
Biography:
Dr Induni Vijaya Kumar is a Research Scientist at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Northern Territory Government. Dr Kumar specialized in crop agronomy, plant physiology, soil science and postharvest research. She has led various projects, contributing significantly to the development of best practices in agriculture in the Northern Territory. Dr Kumar holds a PhD in Agriculture, a Master in Agricultural Science, and a Bachelor with Honors in Botany. With 5 years' experience in international agricultural research, her expertise drives advancements in publications, scientific writing, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, contributing significantly to agricultural research and innovation.
Abstract:
Temperature is crucial in seed germination, and it affects other environmental factors that are very important in the ultimate crop stand and eventual yield. The Australian industrial hemp industry is in its infancy, and research is being done to expand its production areas to new regions including the tropics. While hemp production potential and varieties in most part of Australia are being documented under the AgriFutures Australia’s Industrial Hemp Variety Trials (IHVT) Project, little information has been reported on the effect of temperature on seed germination. This preliminary laboratory experiment aimed at identifying the best temperature range for hemp seed germination. Ten industrial hemp varieties were assessed in this experiment. Four germination temperatures, ranging from 10 0C to 40 0C with 10 0C interval, were tested. Seeds were incubated in temperature-controlled chambers, with 100 seeds per treatment in three replicates. After 7 days, germinated seeds were counted, and the respective percentage determined. The results indicated the lowest temperature (10 0C) showing the highest germination and the high temperatures adversely affected hemp germination. Germination decreased particularly beyond 30 0C, with a significant decrease observed at 40 0C. Results show that planting hemp in soils with 30-40 0C temperatures reduces germination, seedling vigor, and plant population. This study highlights the significance of selecting hemp varieties based on soil temperatures during sowing, urging further research to quantify temperature effects on production potential. This will inform the development of region-specific varieties, accounting for growing conditions and germination stages.