Abstract
Nitrogen (N) availability represents one of the most critical factors affecting cultivated crops. N is indeed a crucial macronutrient influencing major aspects, from plant development to productivity and final yield of lignocellulosic biomass, as well as content of bioactive molecules. N metabolism is fundamental as it is at the crossroad between primary and secondary metabolic pathways: Besides affecting the synthesis of fundamental macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, N is needed for other types of molecules intervening in the response to exogenous stresses, e.g. alkaloids and glucosinolates. By partaking in the synthesis of phenylalanine, N also directly impacts a central plant metabolic ‘hub’—the phenylpropanoid pathway—from which important classes of molecules are formed, notably monolignols, flavonoids and other types of polyphenols. In this review, an updated analysis is provided on the impact that N has on the multipurpose crop hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) due to its renewed interest as a multipurpose crop able to satisfy the needs of a bioeconomy. The hemp stalk provides both woody and cellulosic fibers used in construction and for biocomposites; different organs (leaves/flowers/roots) are sources of added-value secondary metabolites, namely cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and lignanamides. We survey the available literature data on the impact of N in hemp and highlight the importance of studying those genes responding to both N nutrition and abiotic stresses. Available hemp transcriptomic datasets obtained on plants subjected to salt and drought are here analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) categories related to N metabolism. The ultimate goal is to shed light on interesting candidate genes that can be further studied in hemp varieties growing under different N feeding conditions and showing high biomass yield and secondary metabolite production, even under salinity and drought.
Highlights
In recent years, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been the object of research due to its potential as crop with multiple uses in a required bio-safe agriculture and economy [1,2,3]
Available hemp transcriptomic datasets obtained on plants subjected to salt and drought are here analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) categories related to N metabolism
The relationship between nutrient availability and marketable products of hemp is a major topic for hemp breeding; the effects of N on hemp fibers are complex
Summary
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been the object of research due to its potential as crop with multiple uses in a required bio-safe agriculture and economy [1,2,3]. The major hemp products, namely fiber and CBD, showed market prices ranging from 4848 $/Ha of fiber to the 25000 $/Ha of CDB [3] This directed the scientific research to improve the knowledge about stem development, genetic regulation of fiber traits, secondary metabolites, biosynthetic pathways and their engineering, increase of grain yield, oil composition, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses [3]. Hemp production is threatened by abiotic stresses and N starvation, the major constraints limiting crop yield [2,21,22]; it must be underlined that these two factors are strictly correlated, severely impacting cell metabolism, plant growth and differentiation [23]. We report genes related to N metabolism and responding to salt/drought stress in hemp to pave the way to future strategies improving specific traits under unfavorable conditions for this economically important multipurpose crop
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