Hemp Chemical Analysis: Outline of work needed: Using various methods of analytical chemistry (HP-LC, GC-MS, NMR) we are quantifying and identifying phytochemical in hemp. Skills learned: How to prepare samples for chemical analysis. Dates:year-round Location: UNR Main Campus
Hemp-Lepidopteran Feeding Experiments Outline of work needed: First, we prepare the artificial diet and add the mixtures of compounds previously extracted from hemp. We then select lepidopteran caterpillars (~280 individuals) to place on each diet. Every day the caterpillars are checked; if any have died they and their remaining food are weighed and record. Periodically we also need to clean their homes and add more food. When adding food we must weigh what we added and record the data. Record molting. Skills learned: Basic protocol for lepidopteran feeding experiments including using an analytical scale and recording data. Identifying instars. Dates: November-March Location: UNR Main Campus
Harvest and Dry Hemp Outline of work needed: Harvesting hemp: We will first cut each plant down, remove the large fan leaves, trim the small fan leaves and hang the flowers to dry. Approximately 10 days later after the flowers have dried we then cut the flowers from the stalk. We will be weighing all plant parts that are harvested throughout the process and recording the data. We will also be winterizing the irrigation system used this season. Skills learned: Hemp drying/curing and irrigation skills. Dates: end of September/beginning of October-depending on weather. Location: UNR Main Campus
Hemp Clonal Colony Outline of work needed: Clonal colony of hemp plants are maintained to be used throughout the year. As plants mature we will take clones of the plants. When plants mature we will identify which plants are males and remove them and their clones. We will manipulate the light cycle to keep the hemp in a vegetative state in order to continually take clones. Watering plants several times a week is also needed. Skills learned: How to propagate hemp from seed and take clones from established hemp plants. How to identify male and female hemp plants. Data recording. Tracing clones from mother plants throughout life cycle. Basic horticultural practices for hemp (watering and nutrient regiments) as well as light manipulations to keep hemp in a vegetative state. Dates: year-round Location: UNR Main Campus
Transplant Hemp from Indoor to Outdoor Garden Outline of work needed: We will start off by constructing an outdoor shade structure in which we will harden off previously established hemp clones. This will include transplanting from clones into soil, regular monitoring of the structure and watering the plants outdoors. Prepare outdoor pots to transplant hardened-off clones by weeding field, amending soil, mulching, setting up irrigation system. Skills learned: hemp cultivation, irrigation systems Dates: most of this work will take place June 1st-15th, however there will be opportunities throughout the summer. Location: UNR Greenhouse Complex
Insect Herbivory Sampling Outline of work needed: Collect arthropods from hemp producers. We actively sample insects off of randomly selected hemp plants as well as in uncultivated plots near the field using sweep nets, beat sheets and visual searches. We also collect passively using malaise traps. All samples must be labeled correctly. We also estimate the size (resource availability) of the hemp plants throughout the growing season. Arthropods then need to be identified to morpho-species, uncultivated plots plants must be identified and data entered into spreadsheets. Skills learned: standard insect collecting protocols, proper operation of a microscope, insect curation including pinning insects and spreading butterflies/moths, insect identification, plant identification, data entry, labeling in the field, plot description. Dates: Arthropod collecting-June 1st-September 30th; Insect identification-year round. Location: UNR Greenhouse Complex, Sierra Valley and Fallon (transportation will be provided)
Water-Stress Experiment Outline of work needed: The established hemp plants will be water stressed. We will be collecting soil samples and oven drying them to determine soil moisture content weekly. Calculating soil moisture content. We will also be taking IR temps and weekly. Weeding and checking irrigation is also part of this opportunity. Data from soil samples and IR will need to be recorded in a spreadsheet. Skills learned: How to collect soil samples and determine soil moisture content. How to use a IR thermometer. Data entry. Dates: July 1st-September 30th. Location: UNR Greenhouse Complex and FA