Hemp Variety Selection for Textile Fibre

Textile hemp varieties are bred for high primary bast fibre content (25–35% of stem dry weight), low THC (<0.2% EU, <0.3% USA legal limits), tall stem height (2.5–4.5 m), and delayed flowering to maximise fibre elongation period. Approved EU varieties include Futura 75, Fedora 17, Felina 32, and Santhica 27, with fibre yields of 5–12 tonnes stem/ha and bast fibre content 25–33%. Chinese varieties (Yunma series) dominate Asian production at fibre yields of 6–14 tonnes stem/ha. Dioecious varieties produce male plants (harvested early at anthesis for fine fibre, strength 650–900 MPa) and female plants (harvested later for coarser seed-fibre dual-purpose production). Monoecious varieties (both male and female flowers on same plant) allow single-pass harvesting. Fibre fineness of primary fibres ranges 15–30 µm (finer varieties) to 30–50 µm (coarser dual-purpose), with finer varieties commanding 30–50% premium in textile markets.