"Hemp production process and installation"

Abstract

A hemp cultivation installation for therapeutic purposes, comprising at least one irrigation water supply line to the crop (WA), characterized in that the installation includes means (1, 2, 3...) for injecting oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas into the irrigation water, means capable of achieving a dissolved oxygen content in the water between 15 mg / l and 40 mg / l, and more preferably between 25 and 35 mg / l. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: “Process and installation for producing hemp”

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hemp production processes, whether this cultivation takes place above ground or in the open ground.

[0002] France and Europe in general are preparing for the growing production of unprocessed industrial hemp, whose THC content does not exceed 0.2 to 0.3% and whose cultivation route is designed to enhance the flower. This cultivation is envisaged in greenhouses or laboratories.

[0003] Recall that hemp, also known as “cannabis,” is a plant that contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Some of these cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol), have been associated with potential medicinal benefits, such as reducing inflammation, pain, and anxiety.

[0004] Medical hemp is often grown in controlled conditions, such as greenhouses or laboratories, to ensure the quality and safety of the plant. Special growing techniques may be used to maximize CBD production and minimize the presence of THC.

[0005] However, it has been shown that for therapeutic hemp, it is the flower that plays a crucial role, while the leaves or stems are secondary.

[0006] Indeed, while legislation regarding hemp cultivation may vary depending on the country and region, in many countries only the hemp flower, which contains a THC level below a certain threshold, is allowed to be harvested. This is because THC is the psychoactive substance present in cannabis that can have adverse effects on health and can lead to addiction. For this reason, most regulations stipulate that the THC level in therapeutic hemp must not exceed a certain threshold, generally between 0.2% and 0.3%.

[0007] The hemp flower is then considered the most valuable part of the plant because it contains the highest amount of cannabinoids, such as CBD, which have potential medicinal properties. Growers may then be allowed to cultivate hemp for its flower, in order to produce products such as oils, tinctures, creams and capsules containing CBD.

[0008] Growing plants in greenhouses, whether the cultivation takes place above ground or in the ground, requires total control of the atmosphere. However, if for several years greenhouse growers have controlled the external environment of the plant (light, humidity, temperature, atmosphere, CO2, etc.) there remains a major point that is often overlooked and which remains to be mastered, it is the supply of a nutrient solution (water) allowing optimal growth in the planting process, in particular above ground, and particularly in the case of a plant whose flower is the added value of the product.

[0009] But we know that plants also need oxygen. While all greenhouse growers know that atmospheric CO2 is important for photosynthesis and therefore plant growth, there is another gas that is just as important, but this time in an aquatic environment, which has allowed life to thrive. Indeed, water has the ability to dissolve certain gases such as oxygen, an element that is just as important for the metabolism of plants, and particularly hemp.

[0010] Consider the case of hemp, the objective is to promote the absorption of the nutrient solution but also to maintain a healthy and functional root system, or even to promote its growth and particularly the number of flowers per plant. The high concentrations of dissolved oxygen have an effect on the sanitation of the root environment and therefore limit the development of diseases.

[0011] The present invention provides a solution for improving the production of hemp or cannabis for therapeutic purposes, in particular enabling high flower production to be promoted.

[0012] As will be seen in more detail below, the present invention proposes to optimally inject oxygen into the nutrient solution.

[0013] And the experiments carried out by the Applicant under such optimal conditions have shown that such oxygen enrichment has made it possible to increase the number of fruits, and therefore of flowers.

[0014] The dosage recommended according to the present invention is advantageously between 15 mg / l and 40 mg / l, and more preferably between 25 and 35 mg / l, to benefit from superior flowering and improved precocity.

[0015] Tests carried out under the conditions of the invention on a specific variety showed an increase of approximately 22% in flowering (number of flowers).

[0016] It is then proposed according to the present invention to dissolve the oxygen in a water circuit supplying the culture in question, while respecting a speed (flow rate) and a contact time.

[0017] According to the present invention, a speed greater than 2 m / s and a contact time of at least 15 seconds are recommended. Since these latter parameters should not disrupt the hemp watering process, it is then advisable to use specific equipment to ensure the pressure and flow rate to the plants and to respect the conditions necessary for good dissolution of the gas.

[0018] The present invention seeks to achieve the following objectives: - Quality: improved flower quality, better resistance to diseases, compatibility with the organic sector; - Quantity: an increase in yield, a greater number of flowers per plant, a reduction in the growing period.

[0019] Dissolved oxygen is the first line of defense against the dreaded anaerobic bacteria, the ones that cause root rot. Oxygen also contributes to rapid root growth with a much higher density of fine root hairs, which are in fact responsible for water absorption. This absorption also consumes a lot of energy within the plant in the form of oxygen.

[0020] The increased availability of oxygen atoms also increases nutrient uptake. Oxygen-deprived roots have no choice but to substitute with other compounds and begin producing ethylene, which causes cellular damage and increases the risk of systemic diseases.

[0021] It is even possible to think that roots deprived of oxygen will probably face calcium deficiencies.

[0022] The attached [Fig.l] shows a partial schematic view of a water supply installation for a hemp production greenhouse in which equipment for doping the irrigation water for the crops in accordance with the invention has been integrated.

[0023] We can note the presence in this figure of the following elements:

[0024] - an injector 1, for example of the Venturi type, making it possible to inject a gas into water;

[0025] - on this injector arrive a water inlet line (“WATER”) and a line gas inlet (“GAS”), gas line here connected in its upstream part to an oxygen storage (represented by a bottle), or a mixture of gases containing oxygen, for example a mixture of 70% oxygen and 30% CO2.

[0026] - a regulator 2;

[0027] - an adjustment valve 3 (gas adjustment valve allowing, due to its calibration, to inject a chosen quantity of gas into the injector);

[0028] - a coil 4 (device for making contact between water and oxygen), the length of the coil allows a chosen gas / water contact time, preferably greater than or equal to 15 seconds;

[0029] - a water circulation pump 5, the water pump makes it possible to reach speeds high water pressure in the coil, for example a speed greater than 2 m / s;

[0030] - a spiller 6;

[0031] - a float valve 7;

[0032] - a tank of water at atmospheric pressure (8).

[0033] The “WATER” line arriving from the right supplies the bath with “fresh” water or new, thus allowing the tank to be first filled with water before starting, the float valve 7 (for example of the flush type) allows a constant water level to be maintained in the tank.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation for growing hemp for therapeutic purposes, comprising at least one line for supplying water (WATER) for irrigation to the crop, characterized in that the installation comprises means (1, 2, 3, etc.) for injecting oxygen or a gas containing oxygen into the irrigation water, means capable of achieving a dissolved oxygen content in the water of between 15 mg / l and 40 mg / l, and more preferably between 25 and 35 mg / l.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said injection means comprise a device (4) for making contact between the water and the oxygen, such as a coil, making it possible to obtain a contact time of at least 15 seconds.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cultivation is carried out above ground.

4. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cultivation is carried out in open ground.

5. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cultivation is carried out in a greenhouse.

6. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it allows the production of hemp whose THC level does not exceed a given threshold, a threshold situated between 0.2% and 0.3%.