The main difference with sowing for technical applications is that a higher seeding density is applied for textiles: 70 - 75 kg/ha of seed;[1] about 400 seeds/m2. A denser sowing is needed for fine textile fibres. Besides that, other varieties are used (§3.3).
Findings from the Hemp4Textiles project (led by HOGENT) demonstrated that with a higher seeding density of 90 - 100 kg/ha (about 650 seeds/m2) a finer stem was obtained, however, fibres were not finer.[2] A similar result was observed in the HempSys project.[3]
[1] https://www.hogent.be/sites/hogent/assets/File/Teeltfiche_Cannabisness.pdf
[2] https://www.hogent.be/sites/hogent/assets/File/Eindverslag_Cannabisness.pdf
[3] https://edepot.wur.nl/522052
Further information
HOGENT, 2022. ‘Cannabusiness. Summary of hemp cultivation and primary processing results’. (Dutch)
Short report with results of harvesting hemp for textile using different harvesters.
https://www.hogent.be/sites/hogent/assets/File/Eindverslag_Cannabisness.pdf
9 pages
HOGENT, 2023. ‘Bio-based materials & circular economy’. (Dutch)
Overview of fibre hemp projects at the college
https://www.hogent.be/onderzoekscentra/ftilab/projectresultaten-ftilab/
Inagro, 2022. ‘Hemp4Textiles project: Discussion multifactorial hemp trial 2021’. (Dutch)
webpage, corresponding to 5 pagess