Hemp Research Articles

Nitrogen application and cultivar effects on industrial hemp yield dynamics

AbstractRenewed interest in hemp (Cannabis sativa L., <0.3% delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol) production has motivated investigations into crop management and fertilizer application. Due to fertilizer regulations, soil characteristics, and unique climatic conditions in Florida, researching nutrient management for region‐specific hemp cultivation is essential. A study conducted in central Florida during 2021 and 2022 used six nitrogen (N) rates (0, 56, 112, 168, 224, and 280 kg ha−1) and five cultivars (NWG‐2730, X‐59, Bialobrzeskie, IH Williams, and Yuma) as a first effort to develop producer‐oriented fertilizer guidelines. The field experiments employed a randomized complete block design across N rates and varieties, with N applied in three split applications. The results indicated an interaction between cultivars and N rates, as expected due to their diverse genetic and geographic origins. Challenges in genetic and germination quality resulted in grain and biomass yield of two cultivars, X‐59 and Bialobrzeskie, that did not respond to the N application. Conversely, NWG‐2730, IH Williams, and Yuma cultivars demonstrated significantly higher yields within the 168–280 kg ha−1 N range. Moreover, cultivars demonstrated differing emergence counts (field count), and findings indicated a correlation between emergence and plant count at harvest (r = 0.68 and p = 0). The study also found a difference in germination count versus field count (after adjusting the seed rate depending on germination percentage). Enhanced plant count at harvest substantially elevated grain and biomass yield. The N application positively influenced plant height across all cultivars except Bialobrzeskie. Optimal plant height was achieved within the 168–280 kg N ha−1 range. Therefore, optimizing N rates and selecting cultivars (with higher emergence rates in the field) could help achieve higher biomass and grain yields.

Study on the Impact of Cutting Platform Vibration on Stalk Cutting Quality in Industrial Hemp

In response to the unclear impact of header vibration on cutting performance (stalk cutting quality and cutting energy consumption) during field operations of industrial hemp harvesters, this study utilized a vibration recorder to collect information on header vibration during the operation of industrial hemp harvesters. Through data processing, the dominant range for the resonant frequency and amplitude of the cutting platform is primarily concentrated between 5–45 Hz and 0–35 mm, respectively. Using numerical simulation techniques, a quadratic orthogonal rotation combination experiment was conducted with vibration frequency and amplitude as experimental factors and stalk cutting quality and cutting energy consumption as indicators. Regression equations were established to reveal the relationships between indicators and factors, elucidating the influence of each factor and its interactions on the indicators. Specifically, for the crack length indicator, the amplitude has a highly significant influence on the model, and there is a significant interaction effect between vibration frequency and amplitude on the model. As for the cutting energy consumption indicator, frequency and the interaction between frequency and amplitude significantly affect the model, while amplitude has an extremely significant impact on the model. Through comprehensive fuzzy evaluation, the optimal vibration parameter combination satisfying comprehensive cutting performance indicators was determined as a vibration frequency of 37.86 Hz and an amplitude of 5.34 mm. Furthermore, the reliability of the model has been further validated. This research can provide a reference for improving the field performance of industrial hemp harvesters.

The effect of chelating agents on the Zn-phytoextraction potential of hemp and soil microbial activity

BackgroundHemp (Cannabis sativa) is a crop with a wide range of uses, from the production of fiber and seeds to the secondary metabolites for medicinal purposes. In addition, it is characterized by high biomass yield and the ability to accumulate heavy metals, which makes this plant convenient for phytoremediation purposes. In this study, the effect of applying exogenous biodegradable chelating agents, citric acid (CA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), to zinc-contaminated soil on zinc (Zn) uptake by two industrial hemp varieties ‘Felina 32’ and ‘Monoica’ was studied. The effect of CA and NTA on available Zn in soils was investigated using an ‘in pot’ experiment under controlled conditions. The effect of both tested compounds on soil microbial activity was simultaneously evaluated.ResultsAfter the application of NTA at a concentration of 5 mmol L−1, a > threefold increased accumulation of Zn in the above-ground parts was recorded in the ‘Felina 32’ variety. In the ‘Monoica’ variety, the levels of Zn in the above-ground parts were increased > twofold. NTA affected the soil microbiome negatively, causing decreased enzyme activity (in ‘Monoica’ planted soil) and induced respiration (in ‘Monoica’ and especially in ‘Felina 32’ planted soil). On the other hand, CA application did not lead to significantly increased Zn levels in any of the studied hemp varieties. Together with CA’s negative effects on some soil enzymes, CA enhanced urease activity, dehydrogenase and several respiration types for the ‘Felina 32’ variety and exerted less detrimental effect on the soil microbiome. No toxic effects from increased Zn uptake and accumulation in experimental plants were detected, accounting for the unchanged physiological stress markers (levels of photosynthetic pigments and proline in leaves, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters) and selected growth traits of the above-ground organs and root system.ConclusionsFrom the studied varieties, ‘Felina 32’ seems to be more suitable for Zn-phytoextraction because of its higher tolerance to increased Zn levels, higher biomass production and Zn accumulation capacity. Our results indicate the potential of using the ‘Felina 32’ variety in NTA-assisted Zn phytoextraction from contaminated soils.Graphical

The development of a next-generation sequencing panel targeting cannabinoid synthase genes to distinguish between marijuana and hemp.

Hemp and marijuana, both derived from Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa), are subject to divergent legal regulations due to their different Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) contents. Cannabinoid synthase genes are considered the key enzymes that determine the chemical composition or chemotype of a particular cultivar. However, existing methods for crop type differentiation based on previous synthase gene theories have limitations in terms of precision and specificity, and a wider range of cannabis varieties must be considered when examining cannabis-based genetic markers. A custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel was developed targeting all synthase genes, including Δ9-THC acid synthase, cannabidiolic acid synthase, and cannabichromenic acid synthase, as well as the pseudogenes across diverse C. sativa samples, spanning reference hemp and marijuana, commercial hemp derivatives, and seized marijuana extracts. Interpretation of NGS data revealed a relationship between genotypes and underlying chemotypes, with the principal component analysis indicating a clear distinction between hemp and marijuana clusters. This differentiation was attributed to variations in both synthase genes and pseudogene variants. Finally, this study proposes a genetic cannabis classification method using a differentiation flow chart with novel synthase markers. The flow chart successfully differentiated hemp from marijuana with a 1.3% error rate (n=147).

Phytoremediation & Valorization of Cu-contaminated Soils Through Cannabis sativa (L.) Cultivation: A Smart Way to Produce Cannabidiol (CBD) in Mediterranean Soils

PurposeThe potential of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for phytoremediation of copper-contaminated Mediterranean soils was investigated. The accumulation of copper in hemp’s parts and the effect of contaminated soil on the production of cannabidiol (CBD) were, also, of primary concern.MethodsTwo soil types, a Clay Loam & a Sandy Clay Loam, were exposed to two levels of Cu contamination, with low & high Cu concentrations. The soils’ total and available Cu content, along with Cu in plant tissues, were determined. Height, fresh aboveground biomass and leaf chlorophyll content were further evaluated. Furthermore, the amount of cannabidiol (CBD) in the hemp flowers was determined.ResultsHemp appeared to be highly resistant, as can successfully grow in both soil types having low or high Cu levels. The maximum Cu content was detected in the highest part of the plant roots, with a progressive decline towards the upper parts of the plant (CuRoots > CuShoots > CuLeaf), in both soil types. It has been observed that more than 50% of the plant’s copper concentration is accumulated in the roots. Furthermore, the hemp plants cultivated in high Cu-contaminated soils produced greater amounts of cannabidiol (CBD).ConclusionΗemp proved to be a promising plant for phytostabilization in Cu-contaminated soils, as its above-ground biomass is almost free of metals and can be used further for fiber production. The presence of Cu in soils did not appear to disrupt the production of the important secondary metabolite CBD, but rather increased following increasing soil Cu content.Graphical

Pickering extremulsion rich in lipophilic phytochemicals: Preparation, characterization and application

The stability and use convenience of lipophilic phytochemicals are needed in the food or medicine fields. In this work, a new and environmentally friendly process for efficient extraction and formulation of lipophilic phytochemicals from plant had been successfully developed. A medium system consisting of water, tributyrin oil and natural amphiphilic complex particles (SPICS) was established. Under the optimal conditions of the oil/water ratio 10%, the particle concentration 2%, solid-liquid ratio 35:1 (mg/mL), ultrasound time 90 s and ultrasound power 300 W, the stable and uniform Pickering extremulsion rich in phytochemical lipophilic cannabidiol（CBD）from industrial hemp leaves was prepared. The Pickering extremulsion with the highest CBD content 1.06 mg/g was obtained, which increased 1.17-fold to the traditional Soxhlet extraction. Meanwhile, the CBD-rich Pickering extremulsion had an excellent antibacterial, antioxidant activity and cell activity with bacteriostatic diameter 7.5–18 mm, DPPH clearance rate 61.8% and cell activity of more than 80%. Besides, CBD-rich Pickering extremulsion had good bioaccessibility. In conclusion, the study provided a green, efficient and low-cost approach for simultaneous extraction and preparation of lipophilic phytochemicals, and it should provide some valuable insights for its application as nutrient or active carriers in phytochemicals field.

Rationale for obtaining protein concentrate of industrial hemp seeds of Cannabis sativa L. of modern selection based on mathematical modeling and its application in food production

In recent decades interest in hemp seed concentrates, which are characterized by a valuable amino acid composition and high nutritional value, has increased. Hemp seeds are sources of vegetable protein and essential components for maintaining health due to the rich content of protein compounds, vitamins, and unsaturated fatty acids. So, production of protein concentrates from oilseeds is becoming relevant. Taking this into account, it is relevant to conduct research aimed at developing and improving the technology for obtaining protein products from the seeds of industrial hemp Cannabis Sativa L of modern selection, as well as expanding the possibility of their use as a part of a different range of food products. The seeds of industrial hemp Cannabis Sativa L of modern selection were used as objects of the research. The studies used both generally accepted and special chemical, physicochemical and physical methods for studying the quality of raw materials and finished products. The research was carried out to improve the technology for obtaining protein concentrate from the seeds of industrial hemp Cannabis Sativa L. based on mathematical modeling of the process, which showed the greatest efficiency in extracting protein concentrate using a 20% alcohol solution as an extractant. Analysis of the composition of the resulting protein concentrate showed a predominant content of globulins. At the same time, the composition of globulin fractions, in comparison with albumin, indicates a great potential for the use of globulin in the formulations of functional food products, as well as a component of targeted technological action. In general, the studies have shown the feasibility of using protein concentrates from industrial hemp seeds of Cannabis Sativa L of modern selection in food products as a functional and technological ingredient.

Development of a green analytical methodology based on a deep eutectic solvent for the determination of pesticide residues in industrial hemp

In this study, in accordance with the green analytical chemistry principles, the use of eco-friendly solvents has been proposed for the first time for the analysis of pesticide residues in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). With this aim, betaine-based natural deep eutectic solvents with lactic acid and propylene glycol were explored as extraction solvents in the solid–liquid extraction of fifteen pesticides from hemp samples. The mixture composed of betaine:propylene glycol at molar ratio 1:4 (n/n) was selected due to its better analytical performance. The separation, identification and quantification of pesticides were carried out by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The extraction protocol was optimised through the step-by-step strategy, evaluating NADES composition, water addition to the solvent, solid–liquid ratio, and re-extraction solvent. The analytical methodology was validated in terms of calibration (linear regression with R2 ≥0.9966), trueness and precision (average relative recovery of 63–77% with relative standard deviation ≤20%) and sensitivity (limits of quantification of 0.663–3.625 µg/kg). These results successfully demonstrated the convenience of the developed approach for the determination of pesticides in industrial hemp, which has industrial applications such as the production of food and supplements, cosmetics, and textiles, which should not compromise the health of consumers. In addition, the comparison with previously reported research in this field showed that not only the present method is more sensitive, but also more sustainable and economical.

Incorporation of hemp flour to obtain gluten-free noodles of higher nutritional quality

One of the most important challenges in the production of gluten-free foods is the need to improve their nutritional quality. This work attempts to produce gluten-free noodles by substituting three different percentages of corn flour with hemp and to evaluate their technological and nutritional quality. This study used corn flour with 10.33 % protein and 1.57 % fiber and commercial hemp flour with 23.57 % protein and 28.75 % fiber. The pastas were made by extrusion by adding pregelatinized starch, ovalbumin and salt to obtain the control, then substitutions were made with 5 %, 10 % and 15 % hemp flour. The addition of hemp flour did not significantly affect the most important quality indicators, such as optimum cooking time and cooking residue, and even increased the firmness of the cooked pasta. Protein and fiber content increased significantly. It can be concluded that the addition of these percentages of hemp flour does not produce a deterioration of the technological quality of gluten-free pasta and allows for an increase in fiber and protein content, generating a significant improvement of nutritional quality.

Noninvasive Early Detection of Nutrient Deficiencies in Greenhouse-Grown Industrial Hemp Using Hyperspectral Imaging

Hyperspectral imaging is an emerging non-invasive technology with potential for early nutrient stress detection in plants prior to visible symptoms. This study evaluated hyperspectral imaging for early identification of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) deficiencies across three greenhouse-grown industrial hemp plant cultivars (Cannabis sativa L.). Visible and near-infrared spectral data (380–1022 nm) were acquired from hemp samples subjected to controlled NPK stresses at multiple developmental timepoints using a benchtop hyperspectral camera. Robust principal component analysis was developed for effective screening of spectral outliers. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machines (SVM) were developed and optimized to classify nutrient deficiencies using key wavelengths selected by variable importance in projection (VIP) and interval partial least squares (iPLS). The 16-wavelength iPLS-C-SVM model achieved the highest precision of 0.75 to 1 on the test dataset. Key wavelengths for effective nutrient deficiency detection spanned the visible range, underscoring the hyperspectral imaging sensitivity to early changes in leaf pigment levels prior to any visible symptom development. The emergence of wavelengths related to chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin absorption as optimal for classification, highlights the technology’s capacity to detect subtle impending biochemical perturbations linked to emerging deficiencies. Identifying stress at this pre-visual stage could provide hemp producers with timely corrective action to mitigate losses in crop quality and yields.

Исследование стойкости стеблей лубяных культур к абразивному истиранию

The development of technical means with optimal design parameters for harvesting bast fiber crops is closely related to the mechanical and technological properties of plant material. These properties characterize the structure of the stem, resistance to loads acting on it, behavior under various deformations and destruction, friction on working surfaces, etc. The stems of bast fiber crops, such as industrial hemp, contain fibers that have abrasive properties and cause rapid wear of the cutting edges of knives. However, there are still no studies of the resistance of the stems to abrasive wear. In order to determine the resistance of the fibrous layer of hemp stems to abrasive wear, the authors studied the physico-mechanical and strength properties of the stems of industrial hemp of three varieties – Lyudmila, Nadezhda, and Surskaya. The authors studied the micro-relief of the surface of the bast fiber layer of industrial hemp using atomic force microscopy with a scanning probe microscope. The abrasion experiment was carried out on the AT-100 rotary abrasion tester in accordance with GOST R17076-1- 2014. The study of the microrelief showed a more developed outer surface with a brightly colored fibrous structure. The greatest differences in microroughnesses were observed between the lower and apical parts of the stem. Indicators characterizing the mechanical properties of bast fibers, such as elasticity, hardness and modulus of elasticity, differed in various parts of the stem. The greatest value of the modulus of elasticity and hardness of the fibers was found in the middle part of the stem. Experimental data on the volumetric wear of the bast fiber layer of industrial hemp stems showed that the stems of the Nadezhda variety have the highest abrasion resistance (an abrasion index of 1.67), the Lyudmila variety has the lowest (an abrasion index of 3.71). The research results should be taken into account when designing and developing innovative harvesting machines and choosing abrasive wear-resistant materials to manufacture the cutting edges of knives.

The use of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) on farm animal’s productivity, health and reproductive performance: a review

Global food insecurity is mostly the result of human-animal competition for food, as well as recent population growth, erratic weather patterns and environmental shocks. Therefore, maximising the production of animal proteins can reduce the competition between demand and consumption. Hence, the current review aimed at outlining the use of hemp on the production, health and reproductive performances of farm animals. The data used in this review were accessed using Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate and the directory of open-access journals. It was found that industrial hemp, particularly its derivatives such as hemp-seed meal and oil, has gained attention for its potential benefits in animal nutrition and health. The impact of hemp on farm animals, their productivity, health and reproductive performance, is an area of ongoing research. Our findings on the assessment of the nutritional benefits of hemp to livestock have shown hemp to be a great nutritional source to livestock because, hemp-seed cake, a byproduct of hemp oil extraction, is rich in essential and non-essential amino acids, fibre, and healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. When incorporated into animal feed, it can contribute to a balanced diet, potentially improving overall health and productivity. Furthermore, the health benefits may be due to the fatty acid profile in hemp that is known to have positive effects on animal reproduction (optimal fertility and gestation) and health, including anti-inflammatory properties, which could benefit conditions related to inflammation. Additionally, hemp contains compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes that might offer therapeutic effects, although the effects of these compounds in animals are still being studied. In conclusion, there is limited direct research on hemp’s effect on reproductive performance in farm animals. Hence, more research is necessitated.

Impact of soil-residual herbicides on industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) phytotoxicity and biomass yield in west Texas

Abstract Industrial hemp is a multipurpose crop cultivated for fiber, seed, human food, and animal feed. Hemp legalization in Texas creates a considerable potential to increase its acreage in semi-arid conditions; however, knowledge is limited on growing hemp optimally in Texas. Best management practices, including weed control, require evaluation for profitable hemp production. As little is known about the herbicide tolerance of hemp, field studies were conducted to test several soil-residual herbicides with different modes of action for phytotoxicity to two hemp cultivars, ‘Yuma’ and ‘Jinma’. The experimental units were randomized three times in a blocked split-plot design with hemp cultivars in the main plots and soil-residual herbicides in the subplots. Ethalfluralin, the mixture of sulfentrazone and S-metolachlor, prometryn, and S-metolachlor, resulted in 60% to 90% and 73% to 100% weed control as compared to the nontreated control in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The highest hemp germination, stand count, and plant height were observed with ethalfluralin and S-metolachlor herbicides; however, no significant differences were observed for hemp germination and plant height compared to the nontreated control. S-metolachlor, ethalfluralin, fomesafen, and prometryn resulted in similar hemp biomass compared to the nontreated control. Overall, the results indicate that hemp is tolerant to ethalfluralin, prometryn, and S-metolachlor, and these soil-residual herbicides were effective for weed control in hemp. The mixture of bicyclopyrone plus S-metolachlor, metribuzin plus S-metolachlor, and mesotrione should be avoided, as they caused significant injury to hemp plants. Future research is needed to test the efficacy of different preemergence and postemergence herbicides that can be used in industrial hemp grown under different environments, making sure the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of the hemp is below the legal content restrictions.

Valorisation of the industrial hemp residue from essential oil production by recovery of cannabidiol and chemo-enzymatic conversion to cannabielsoin

A sustainable method to extract and purify cannabidiol (CBD) from soaked biomass waste from the production of essential oil of industrial hemp is disclosed. A simple and scalable lipase-mediated oxidation of CBD to cannabielsoin is also reported.

Proteomic Profiles of Whole Seeds, Hulls, and Dehulled Seeds of Two Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars.

As a source of nutritionally important components, hemp seeds are often dehulled for consumption and food applications by removing the hard hulls, which increases their nutritional value. The hulls thus become waste, although they may contain valuable protein items, about which there is a lack of information. The present work is therefore aimed at evaluating the proteome of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) at the whole-seed, dehulled seed, and hull levels. The evaluation was performed on two cultivars, Santhica 27 and Uso-31, using LC-MS/MS analysis. In total, 2833 protein groups (PGs) were identified, and their relative abundances were determined. A set of 88 PGs whose abundance exceeded 1000 ppm (MP88 set) was considered for further evaluation. The PGs of the MP88 set were divided into ten protein classes. Seed storage proteins were found to be the most abundant protein class: the averages of the cultivars were 65.5%, 71.3%, and 57.5% for whole seeds, dehulled seeds, and hulls, respectively. In particular, 11S globulins representing edestin (three PGs) were found, followed by 7S vicilin-like proteins (four PGs) and 2S albumins (two PGs). The storage 11S globulins in Santhica 27 and Uso-31 were found to have a higher relative abundance in the dehulled seed proteome (summing to 58.6 and 63.2%) than in the hull proteome (50.5 and 54%), respectively. The second most abundant class of proteins was oleosins, which are part of oil-body membranes. PGs belonging to metabolic proteins (e.g., energy metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, and protein synthesis) and proteins related to the defence and stress responses were more abundant in the hulls than in the dehulled seeds. The hulls can, therefore, be an essential source of proteins, especially for medical and biotechnological applications. Proteomic analysis has proven to be a valuable tool for studying differences in the relative abundance of proteins between dehulled hemp seeds and their hulls among different cultivars.

First report of root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum on industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in Bulgaria

Worldwide, thegrowers suffer serious losses from mycoses caused by Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. Due to the root rot disease, the whole plant dies, regardless of the phenophase at the moment of infection. The increase in Cannabis sativa acreage in Bulgaria and the accompanying problems associated with the severity and incidence of various diseases necessitated this study. The study aimed to survey the root rot symptoms on field and greenhouse plantations and monitoring the plant`s health status of cannabis-planted areas in Bulgaria during 2021-2022. The main problem was darkening at the base of the stem, yellowing, dieback, and wilting of whole plants from the seedling stage to flowering. Following the Koch's postulates and morphological characteristics by microscopic observation, all collected samples corresponded to genus Pythium. For complete identification, a molecular diagnostic was performed with primers ITS1 and ITS4 using four isolates from different regions of the country, which confirmed Pythium aphanidermatum as the causative agent. Based on the molecular analyses, this is the first report of root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum on cannabis in Bulgaria. Keywords: Pythium aphanidermatum, root rot, Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa

Exploring the Potential of Industrial Hemp in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals

Extensive research has explored the potential utility of industrial hemp (<i>Cannabis sativa</i>) in phytoremediation, particularly its ability to alleviate soil pollution caused by heavy metals—a significant threat to human health and the environment. Various industrial activities, including mining, smelting, and manufacturing, can introduce heavy metals into the soil. Phytoremediation harnesses the unique detoxification abilities of plants like cannabis to rehabilitate polluted sites. Studies indicate that cannabis exhibits remarkable proficiency in extracting heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and nickel from contaminated soil, accumulating them in its tissues. This highlights the promising potential of cannabis as a candidate for phytoremediation. Noteworthy attributes such as hemp's deep roots and robustness enable it to endure diverse metal accumulations, and its biomass presents numerous commercial opportunities post-harvest. Additionally, research suggests that the integration of mycorrhizal fungi may enhance cannabis' phytoremediation capabilities. These symbiotic fungi establish beneficial relationships with plants, promoting nutrient absorption and fortifying environmental resilience.

Granite dust application to hemp – variety-specific impacts on growth and cannabinoid production

The hemp industry has grown exponentially with the recent legalization of Cannabis sativa in Canada. With this new market expansion, there is an increased need for hemp plants, particularly for production of cannabinoids. Growing concerns regarding pesticide residues in commodities for human consumption, as well as global demand for fertilizer has increased consumer demand for natural products as alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals and pest management strategies. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential for using different composite granite dusts applied as soil amendments in improving C. sativa growth, and cannabinoid production (specifically, cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid). We selected three varieties of industrial hemp with low yield production of cannabidiol (Fibranova, CFX-2, and Katani) and one variety with high yield production of cannabidiol (Cherry Blossom). Varieties were planted in potting soil amended with zero, five or ten percent granite dust mixture, and assayed for growth characteristics, and cannabinoid composition. Among tested cannabis varieties, results suggest that improvements to flower growth (> 44% mass) and cannabinoid production (> 2.5 fold or > 145%) from application of granite dust were evident in one variety of fibre hemp, CFX-2. Overall, this work suggests there may be selective benefits to soil applications of granite dust composites to improve hemp propagation, and that degree of improvement to cannabinoid production vary between varieties of hemp.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the differential accumulation of phenylpropanoids and terpenoids in hemp autotetraploid and its diploid progenitor

BackgroundCannabis sativa, a dioecious plant that has been cultivated worldwide for thousands of years, is known for its secondary metabolites, especially cannabinoids, which possess several medicinal effects. In this study, we investigated the autopolyploidization effects on the biosynthesis and accumulation of these metabolites, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to explore the gene expression and metabolic variations in industrial hemp autotetraploids and their diploid progenitors.ResultsThrough these analyses, we obtained 1,663 differentially expressed metabolites and 1,103 differentially expressed genes. Integrative analysis revealed that phenylpropanoid and terpenoid biosynthesis were regulated by polyploidization. No substantial differences were found in the cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol content between tetraploids and diploids. Following polyploidization, some transcription factors, including nine bHLH and eight MYB transcription factors, affected the metabolic biosynthesis as regulators. Additionally, several pivotal catalytic genes, such as flavonol synthase/flavanone 3-hydroxylase, related to the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, were identified as being modulated by polyploidization.ConclusionsThis study enhances the overall understanding of the impact of autopolyploidization in C. sativa and the findings may encourage the application of polyploid breeding for increasing the content of important secondary metabolites in industrial hemp.

Industrial Cannabis sativa: Role of hemp (fiber type) in textile industries

This review paper highlights the importance and role of hemp fibre in textile industries. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in hemp as a sustainable and versatile textile fibre in fashion and textile industry. Hemp is a sustainable and environmental friendly crop that can provide valuable raw materials to a large number of industrial applications. Hemp fibre is very strong compared with other natural fibres such as cotton, flax and nettle. The cultivation of hemp has significantly less environmental impact compared to cotton. The industrial hemp contains primary and secondary fibres of which the primary fibres are utilisable for the textile end use. Hemp has been the mostly blended with cotton and synthetic fibres due to barriers in the industrial process of the production of full hemp-based textiles. Hemp clothing is stronger and more durable than cotton clothing and does not deform as easily. Apparel made from hemp merges easily with dyes and does not discolour easily. Hemp has outstanding antibacterial properties that surpass those of cotton and also any other natural fibre. Hemp textile fibre is hypoallergenic and has natural antimicrobial properties, making it an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin. However, despite its many benefits, hemp is still relatively expensive in India compared to other cellulosic fibres such as cotton, linen, and rayon etc. Hemp has a great cultural and historical value in India because it has been grown and used here for thousands of years. This cultural history can be conserved and honoured by using hemp in the fashion and textile business.