Abstract
Trichoderma harzianum, as a natural endophytic biocontrol agent, can ameliorate plant development, nutrient uptake, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on agronomical and quality characteristics of two monoecious hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties, Fedora 17 and Felina. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design of two treatments of Trichoderma harzianum with a low and high dose of the fungus (T1 and T2). The significance of differences between treatments was estimated by using a Fisher’s test with a significance level p = 0.05. The root density of both varieties was significantly affected by treatments, and higher values were recorded in Fedora 17 (2.32 mm cm−3). The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) colonization of the root system and the soil emission of CO2 were higher after the inoculation of Trichoderma harzianum. The highest values of plant height and dry weight were noticed for T2, especially in variety Felina. Trichoderma harzianum positively influenced characteristics of inflorescences such as their number, fresh weight moisture, and compactness in both varieties, while the dry weight, length, and dry yield of inflorescences were not improved. Finally, the fertigation of Trichoderma harzianum in hemp plants was beneficial by increasing the cannabidiol (CBD) content, especially in T2 treatment (4 × 1012 CFU kg−1).
Highlights
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), which is one of the oldest crops used by humans, has been cultivated for centuries around the world [1]
In both varieties (Fedora 17 and Felina), the presence of Trichoderma harzianum led to a statistically significant increment of the root density of the plants compared to controls, yet no noteworthy differences were observed between these treatments
Treatments T1 and T2 increased the AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) percentage, though once again no significant differences were noted between the two varieties
Summary
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), which is one of the oldest crops used by humans, has been cultivated for centuries around the world [1]. The cultivation led to a decline during the twentieth century due to the increased use of synthetic fibers and other raw materials and mainly the forbiddance of hemp cultivation as an illicit drug crop owing to the content of psychotropic substance ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) [4,5,6]. Hemp constitutes an area of interest for plenty of researchers and industrial businesses [9]. It is vastly used in more than 25,000 products occupying a prominent position in the global market [10].
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