Abstract
Geographic isolation coupled with human selection of Cannabis sativa L. has given rise to the subspecies Cannabis sativa L. subspecies sativa and indica. Plant breeders have cross-pollinated the two subspecies sativa and indica which are considered to be Cannabis hybrids. The therapeutic and medical values of these subspecies are distinct in their applications for a cannabis consumer. The photo sensitive nature of cannabis allows for the manipulation of extending the vegetative cycle for cannabis cultivars that are not native to an equatorial climate. With the use of supplemental lighting to achieve a photo-period of 18/6 in Jamaica, the objective of the experiment is to determine which of the subspecies produces more biomass production vegetating under the same growing conditions in Jamaica. The data shows that despite the landrace sativa subspecies having the lowest leaf area index of 83.3 mm2, the photosynthetic capability produced an average height of 168.7 cm, 13.7 branches and129 leaves compared to a height of 143 cm,8.9 branches and 64 leaves for indica and a height of 132.2 cm, 6.6 branches and 66 leaves for the hybrid cultivar resulting in significant differences (p < 0.05) being observed among cultivars. Therefore, cultivating sativa type cultivars in Jamaica and tropical regions may require less energy input in a shorter time frame to achieve greater biomass output during the vegetative cycle, which may give rise to the possibility of harvesting greater yields with less inputs for the Tropical Ganja Farmer. Keywords: Cannabis sativa; Indica; Hybrid; landrace; Jamaica
Published Version
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