Fighting Powdery Mildew With UV Light & Breeding Hemp for Better Grain and Fiber

Fighting Powdery Mildew With UV Light & Breeding Hemp for Better Grain and Fiber

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor October 1, 2025 Duration: 43:01

On this week's Hemp Show, we're back at Cornell Agritech for part three of my Cornell trilogy.

In this episode I visit plant pathologist Jane Hamilton, who's testing UVC light as a non-chemical tool against powdery mildew, and Luis Monserrate from Larry Smart's breeding program, where seed size, yield and chemotype drive decisions for grain and fiber growers.

Next, we walk through Jane's UV cabinet and the powdery mildew chamber, talking dose windows and why powdery mildew (unlike some fungi) doesn't have melanin to block UV.

Then it's over to Luis for small-plot yield math, why bigger seeds can jump-start canopy closure and how chemotype IV lines can keep hempseed meal within ultra-low cannabinoid limits.

Learn More

 
Cornell Hemp Research
https://hemp.cals.cornell.edu/
 
Ultraviolet light kills fire blight in apple blossoms without antibiotics
https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2023/10/ultraviolet-light-kills-fire-blight-apple-blossoms-without-antibiotics
 
 
AOSCA – Variety Certification
https://www.aosca.org/

News Nuggets

Flawed USDA Hemp Data Is Warping Market Signals
 

Thanks to Our Sponsors

HEMI – Hemp Education & Marketing Initiative / Goodness of Hemp
https://hempinitiatives.org/
 
KP4 Hempcutter – Forever Green
https://hempcutter.com/

There’s a quiet revolution happening in fields and factories, and it’s centered on a single, versatile plant. Industrial Hemp Podcast, guided by Eric Hurlock, the Digital Editor at Lancaster Farming, moves beyond the headlines to explore what’s actually happening on the ground. This isn’t just theoretical discussion; it’s a direct line to the people driving the industry forward. Each episode features conversations with the farmers who are planting and harvesting these crops, facing very real agronomic challenges and opportunities. You’ll also hear from researchers, processors, and policy experts who are shaping the future of hemp for fiber, grain, and other industrial applications. The dialogue digs into the practicalities-from planting techniques and harvesting equipment to market trends, regulatory hurdles, and technological innovations that are changing the game. It’s a clear-eyed look at an agricultural sector finding its footing, reported by journalists with deep roots in farming communities. For anyone curious about the business, science, and sheer hard work behind industrial hemp, this podcast serves as an essential, grounded resource. Tune in for honest talk that cuts through the hype and gets to the root of this growing field.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Industrial Hemp Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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In this episode, regenerative industrial hemp farmer Steve Groff returns for a candid discussion about the current state of hemp farming, innovation and industry challenges in Pennsylvania. Groff shares insights on the u…