Soil requirements and field

Hemp can grow on a variety of soil types, but hemp prefers deep, humus-rich and loose soils with a good water supply. The pH value should be between 6 and 8. Soil types such as black earth, pararendzina, brown earth and para-brown earth have these characteristics. Nutrient-poor, shallow sandy soils are unsuitable for successful hemp cultivation. Hemp reacts particularly sensitively to oxygen deficiency with growth depression and yield reduction. For this reason, hemp should not be cultivated on heavy clay soils with a high risk of temporary or permanent compaction and waterlogging (TFZ, 2020).

Hemp is prone to damage from flooding and flourishes when planted in loose, well-drained soil. Additionally, hemp cultivation enhances soil structure, which can benefit subsequent crops (van den Oever et al., 2023). Although the hemp root is quite powerful, its development is easily hindered by obstacles such as soil compaction (Desanlis et al., 2013). Hence, excessive soil compaction can significantly hamper hemp growth.