Cannabis Varieties Research Articles

Finally Freed-Cannabis in South Africa: A Review Contextualised within Global History, Diversity, and Chemical Profiles.

Cannabis sativa L. is a monotypic genus belonging to the family Cannabaceae. It is one of the oldest species cultivated by humans, believed to have originated in Central Asia. In pivotal judgements in 2016 and 2018, the South African Constitutional Court legalised the use of Cannabis within the country for medicinal and recreational purposes, respectively. These decrees opened opportunities for in-depth research where previously there had been varying sentiments for research to be conducted on the plant. This review seeks to examine the history, genetic diversity, and chemical profile of Cannabis. The cultivation of Cannabis by indigenous people of southern Africa dates back to the eighteenth century. Indigenous rural communities have been supporting their livelihoods through Cannabis farming even before its legalisation. However, there are limited studies on the plant's diversity, both morphologically and genetically, and its chemical composition. Also, there is a lack of proper documentation of Cannabis varieties in southern Africa. Currently, the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has 15 genome assemblies of Cannabis obtained from hemp and drug cultivars; however, none of these are representatives of African samples. More studies are needed to explore the species' knowledge gaps on genetic diversity and chemical profiles to develop the Cannabis sector in southern Africa.

Development of GC–MS coupled to GC–FID method for the quantification of cannabis terpenes and terpenoids: Application to the analysis of five commercial varieties of medicinal cannabis

Cannabis terpenes and terpenoids are among the major classes of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites of therapeutic interest. Indeed, these hydrocarbon molecules, responsible for the characteristic aroma of cannabis flowers, are thought to be involved in a synergistic effect known as the “entourage effect”, together with cannabinoids. Numerous analytical studies have been carried out to characterize the terpene and terpenoid contents of some cannabis varieties, but they have not proposed any real quantification or have described a limited number of analytical standards or average response factors, which may have led to over- or underestimation of the real content of the cannabis flowers. Real and reliable quantification is necessary to justify the entourage effect. Here, we report a rigorous and precise GC–FID and GC–MS method for the identification and quantification of cannabis terpenes and terpenoids. This method is distinguished by the use of a high number of analytical standards, the determination of retention indices for all compounds studied, an exhaustive comparison of databases and scientific literature, the use of relevant response factors, and internal calibration for reliable results. It was applied to the study of terpenic compounds in five commercial varieties of medicinal cannabis produced by Bedrocan International: a CBD-rich (Bedrolite®), a THC/CBD balanced (Bediol®), and three THC-dominant (Bedrocan®, Bedica® and Bedrobinol®). Two extraction solvents are described (ethanol and hexane) to compare their selectivity towards target molecules, and to describe as exhaustively as possible the terpenic profile of the five pharmaceutical-grade varieties. Twenty-three standards were used for accurate dosages. This work highlights that the choice of solvent and the analysis method reliability are critical for the study of these terpenic compounds, regarding their contribution to the entourage effect.

The many forms of cannabis use: Prevalence and correlates of routes of administration among nationally representative samples of U.S. adult and adolescent cannabis users

BackgroundCannabis legalization has made cannabis accessible via dispensaries which sell a wide variety of cannabis products. Importantly, the various routes of administration are associated with differing consequences. As such, it’s crucial to understand the prevalence and correlates of different cannabis products. Unfortunately, research has yet to examine the prevalence of certain forms of cannabis use, and little is known about the prevalence of using multiple forms of cannabis, and whether individual-level factors are associated with using different forms of cannabis. MethodsThe current study uses data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine the prevalence and correlates of eight different types of cannabis use (smoking, vaping, eating/drinking, dabbing, drops/lozenges, topical, pills, and other), as well as a cannabis variety scale, on samples of adult and adolescent cannabis users. ResultsThe results suggest that certain routes of administration are more prevalent than others and that these patterns are fairly consistent between adults and adolescents. Similarly, for both adults and adolescents, the majority of users used more than one cannabis product. Lastly, several individual-level factors are associated with the various forms of cannabis use and many of these associations vary by the route of administration examined. ConclusionsThe results of the current study demonstrate that there are differences among cannabis users. If we can develop an understanding of who uses the various forms of cannabis, we could identify the users of the more dangerous forms and provide these individuals with more resources.

Metabolic characterization and transcriptional profiling of polyphenols in Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences with different chemical phenotypes.

After the most comprehensive analysis of the phenolic composition in Cannabis reported to date, a total of 211 compounds were identified, phenolic profiles were able to discriminate cannabis varieties and a complex regulatory network for phenolics accumulation in Cannabis chemovars was highlighted. Female inflorescences of Cannabis sativa L. are plenty of secondary metabolites, of which flavonoids and phenolic acids have been investigated by far less than phytocannabinoids and terpenoids. Understanding the biochemical composition in phenylpropanoids of Cannabis inflorescences, the molecular basis of flavonoid synthesis and how their content can be modulated by specific transcription factors will shed light on the variability of this trait in the germplasm, allowing the identification of biologically active metabolites that can be of interest to diverse industries. In this work, an untargeted metabolomic approach via UHPLC-HRMS was adopted to investigate the composition and variability of phenylpropanoids in thirteen Cannabis genotypes differentiated for their profile in phytocannabinoids, highlighting that phenolic profiles can discriminate varieties, with characteristic, unique genotype-related patterns. Moreover, the transcription profile of candidate phenolics regulatory MYB and bHLH transcription factors, analyzed by RT-qPCR, appeared strongly genotype-related, and specific patterns were found to be correlated between biochemical and transcriptional levels. Results highlight a complex regulatory network for phenolic accumulation in Cannabis chemovars that will need further insights from the functional side.

Grafting of Cannabis – The effect of the rootstock on vegetative and reproductive indices of the scion

Among the commercial cannabis varieties, some are high yielders but characterized by a relatively poor root system. Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil, enabling vegetative development that directly affects yield, as vigorous plants have more resources to support reproduction. Moreover, healthy foliage is a primary key to high assimilation rates, leading to better production of photosynthetic products, including cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the main active components of cannabis. We grafted a high-THC variety, named 'Freud Super-Ego' (FSE) onto three chemotypes of rootstocks: high-THC (T), high-CBD (C), and Balanced (B). All the rootstocks had significantly greater root biomass compared to FSE. All the grafting treatments significantly improved FSE's vegetative indices and yield. The best overall vegetative performance – height, stem circumference, number of mature leaves - was that of plants grafted onto the Balanced and high-CBD rootstocks, resulting in high yields as well. However, the greatest number of inflorescences was counted when FSE was grafted onto a high-THC rootstock. According to leaf mineral content analysis, the highest nitrogen and phosphorus levels were found in leaves of FSE grafted on the balanced rootstock. The cannabinoid content profile analysis revealed that all grafting treatments raised the THC level in FSE's inflorescences by 8–12 % in comparison to the non-grafted control, and the THC rootstock led to the highest THC level. The results indicate the importance of grafting in cannabis as a tool to increase the productivity and quality of the product.

PADAMSHIKA KRAMA: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF TRANSITION STRATEGY IN SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCY

"Padamshika Krama" is a unique concept described in the Bruhatrayees for changing bad habits to good ones. It comprises a step-by-step plan for gradually adopting good habits and avoiding bad ones. This transition from Ahita to Hita has been designed to be smooth and maintain the body’s equilibrium. Different Acharyas have outlined various patterns of Padamshika Krama, completing the process within 7, 10, 15, 46, or 63 days. This strategy prevents Dosha imbalance and diseases caused by incompatibility, which can occur when new habits are abruptly adopted, and old ones are discarded. Padamshika Krama applies to a variety of addictions, including opiates, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. Gradually quitting these addictive substances, along with providing replacements, helps to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The article's primary goal is to compile a review of Padamshika Krama from Bruhatrayees and apply specific patterns of Padamshika Krama based on the severity level of drug dependence. In parallel, Ayurvedic principles are used to select replacements to create a false sensation of addiction as well as balance Doshas.

Potentials of Cannabis as versatile additive in consumer, industrial and medicinal products and green synthesis of nanoparticles: A systematic review

Abstract The rapidly growing human population has upsurged the need for natural resources, endangering the environment and widening the gaps between availability and needs. The objective of this review was to compile the reported data on Cannabis- based food, beverage, cosmetics, textiles, composites and medicinal products with an emphasis on the regulatory framework and guidelines on Cannabis use, Cannabis- based green synthesis of NPs, and multiple ways of incorporating Cannabis with emphasis on critical factors to be considered while using Cannabis as an additive. We searched the data across scientific databases such as Google Scholar, SciELO, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and some conference papers, books, dissertations and government reports. Almost 20 different Cannabis -based food and beverage products with enriched nutrition and 11 cosmetic products have been developed and reported with improved quality. The utilization of Cannabis for the development of textiles, composites and different kinds of medicines like Dronabinol (Marinol®), Nabilone, Sativex® or Nabiximols®, Cannapain® and Cannabis variety based preparations/products (on CBD and THC content basis) including Bedrocan, Bedica, Bedrolite, Bediol and Bedrobinol are available for human use. Various Cannabis NPs, including gold (AuNPs), silver (AgNPs), and selenium (SeNPs), are green synthesized with significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potentials. Because of the endless need for re-invention and the speedy evolution of the market, industries have found a state-of-the-art opportunity to develop various products and nanoparticles (NPs) using Cannabis as a versatile constituent, however, the efficacy of edible products depends upon the level of psychoactive THC present in Cannabis . Overall, the data provided here on Cannabis -based consumers, industrial and medicinal products, green synthesis of Cannabis NPs, and multiple ways of Cannabis incorporation in products considering possible challenges could add significant contributions to the global Cannabis research.

Applications of combinations and concentrations of different phytohormones for the induction of callus, shoot, and root of cannabis sativaunder tissue culture technique

Cannabis sativa is a significant crop of the family (cannabaceae).Interest has been resurgent in the usage of the cannabis plant for medical purposes, industrial fibre, seed oil, food, and recreation.Auxin and cytokinins act antagonistically with each other in which cytokinins promote shoot branching and inhibit root branching, while auxin inhibits shoot branching and promotes root branching. Young cannabis leaves and petioles were used and inoculated in the MS medium with various combinations. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium for explant were developed in additions of 25µl-450µl 2, 4 D, 25µl-450µl Kinetin, and 50µl-450µl BAP for callus induction. Shoot induction was developed on 2-3ml/l BAP-supplemented MS media from the callus. Root induction was developed from the shoot on MS5ml/2 litters (indole-3-acetic acid) IAA + 8ml/2 litters (indole-3-butyric acid)IBA-supplemented media.Seeds of cannabis were inoculated in the MS medium. After one week, seed germination was observed in the seeds of the DG Khan variety of Cannabis. MS media found better and more abundant Callus induction with 450µl 2, 4D +450µl Kinetin+450µlBAP from cannabis sativa leaves. 3ml/l BAP observed the high growth of the shoot. Better growth of roots was observed by 5ml/2 litters (indole-3-acetic acid) IAA + 8ml/2 litters (indole-3-butyric acid) IBA. In the present study, seed, callus, shoot, root, and meristem growth were observed using the combination and concentration of different growth regulators. By using different phytohormones, the growth rate and productivity of Cannabiswere significantly increased, which can be valuable for medical purposes.

Comprehensive analyses of the ARF gene family in cannabis reveals their potential roles in regulating cannabidiol biosynthesis and male flower development.

Cannabidiol (CBD), as an important therapeutic property of the cannabis plants, is mainly produced in the flower organs. Auxin response factors (ARFs) are play a crucial role in flower development and secondary metabolite production. However, the specific roles of ARF gene family in cannabis remain unknown. In this study, various bioinformatics analysis of CsARF genes were conducted using online website and bioinformatics, quantitative real time PCR technology was used to investigate the expression patterns of the CsARF gene family in different tissues of different cannabis varieties, and subcellular localization analysis was performed in tobacco leaf. In this study, 22 CsARF genes were identified and found to be unevenly distributed across 9 chromosomes of the cannabis genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ARF proteins were divided into 4 subgroups. Duplication analysis identified one pair of segmental/whole-genome duplicated CsARF, and three pairs of tandemly duplicated CsARF. Collinearity analysis revealed that two CsARF genes, CsARF4 and CsARF19, were orthologous in both rice and soybean. Furthermore, subcellular localization analysis showed that CsARF2 was localized in the nucleus. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that six genes were highly expressed in cannabis male flowers, and among these genes, 3 genes were further found to be highly expressed at different developmental stages of male flowers. Meanwhile, correlation analysis between the expression level of CsARF genes and CBD content in two cultivars 'H8' and 'Y7' showed that the expression level of CsARF13 was negatively correlated with CBD content, while the expression levels of six genes were positively correlated with CBD content. In addition, most of CsARF genes were responsive to IAA treatment. Our study laid a foundation for the further studies of CsARFs function in cannabis, and provides candidate genes for breeding varieties with high CBD yield in cannabis production.

In vivo profiling of phytocannabinoids in Cannabis spp. varieties via SPME-LC-MS analysis

BackgroundIn vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a minimally invasive, non-exhaustive sample-preparation technique that facilitates the direct isolation of low molecular weight compounds from biological matrices in living systems. This technique is especially useful for the analysis of phytocannabinoids (PCs) in plant material, both for forensic purposes and for monitoring the PC content in growing Cannabis spp. plants. In contrast to traditional extraction techniques, in vivo SPME enables continuous tracking of the changes in the level of PCs during plant growth without the need for plant material collection. In this study, in vivo SPME utilizing biocompatible C18 probes and liquid-chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) is proposed as a novel strategy for the extraction and analysis of the acidic forms of five PCs in growing medicinal cannabis plants. ResultsThe SPME method was optimized by testing various parameters, including the extraction phase (coating), extraction and desorption times, and the extraction temperature. The proposed method was validated with satisfactory analytical performance regarding linearity (10–3000 ng/mL), limits of quantification, and precision (relative standard deviations below 5.5 %). The proposed method was then successfully applied for the isolation of five acidic forms of PCs, which are main components of growing medicinal cannabis plants. As a proof-of-concept, SPME probes were statically inserted into the inflorescences of two varieties of Cannabis spp. plants (i.e., CBD-dominant and Δ9-THC-dominant) cultivated under controlled conditions for 30 min extraction of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabiviarinic acid (CBVA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA). Significance and noveltyThe results confirmed that the developed SPME-LC-Q-TOF-MS method is a precise and efficient tool that enables direct and rapid isolation and analysis of PCs under in vivo conditions. The proposed methodology is highly appealing option for monitoring the metabolic pathways and compositions of multiple PCs in medicinal cannabis at different stages of plant growth.

Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts from Two Cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. (Tisza and Kompolti) Grown in Sardinia

The present work was aimed at the chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of some extracts of aerial parts (essential oils from leaves and inflorescences and resins from inflorescences) of two legal hemp (Cannabis sativa) varieties, Tisza and Kompolti, grown in Sardinia. Chemical characterization was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The main constituent was myrcene (11.75% in Tisza and 18.21% in Kompolti); delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was not found, while cannabidiol was present up to 0.36% in Tisza and up to 2.80% in Kompolti. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts against a panel of microorganisms was also determined via minimum inhibitory concentration (M.I.C.) determination. While the results showed minor or negligible antimicrobial activity of the extracts against the Gram+ and Candida strains (M.I.C. values equal to or greater than 4 mg/mL), good antibacterial activity (especially of resins) was recorded against S. aureus (M.I.C. 0.015–0.031 mg/mL); no substantial differences were detected between the chemical compositions of the two Cannabis varieties.

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).

Quantification of THC levels in different varieties of Cannabis sativa

This literature review paper highlights and updates the THC quantification methods applied for the differentiation of Cannabis varieties and final Cannabis products as a part of the quality control measures. The quantification method also helps to differentiate between Medical Cannabis sativa (drug or marijuana) and Industrial Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp) since THC levels are different. Cannabis has been used for thousands of years for recreational, medicinal, or religious purposes and does not produce Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is produced by the cannabis plant as a precursor. The acidic residue of THCA undergo decarboxylation upon heating producing the psychoactive, Cannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A variety of analytical techniques have been developed for quantification and qualification of Cannabinoids and other compounds in Cannabis plant. The most common cannabinoid quantification techniques include color tests, testing gadgets, Cannabinoids direct ELISA Kit, thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). The lack of accurate reporting of THC potency can have impacts on medical patients controlling dosage, recreational consumers expecting an effect aligned with price, and trust in the industry as a whole. Therefore, quantification of final Cannabis product plays an important role in quality control measures. This literature review paper is developed as a part of Cannabis Science awareness programme since Cannabis with 2 different names (marijuana and hemp) is used as a medicine, food and psychotropic drug (THC).

Exploring methodologies in Cannabis tissue-culture and genetic transformation: Opportunities and obstacles

In recent years, the growing interest in Cannabis sativa L., particularly its medicinal and aromatic properties, has propelled advancements in its tissue culture and genetic transformation techniques. This review delineates the significant strides and persistent challenges in the field, offering a comprehensive overview of the current methodologies and their implications. It discusses the synergistic effects of Thidiazuron (TDZ) and Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium as well as the use of meta-topolin (mT). This synthetic cytokinin (mT) facilitates a high induction frequency and many shoots per explant. It introduces a time-efficient and resource-optimized pathway for Cannabis micropropagation and germplasm conservation. The genetic transformation in Cannabis was predominantly facilitated through Agrobacterium mediated transformation, a cornerstone technique that enabled the integration of foreign genes into the plant genome. Regulatory implications associated with gene editing in Cannabis sativa are highlighted. Despite these advancements, the field grapples with several challenges, including the recalcitrant nature of Cannabis, especially regarding in vitro propagation or genetic transformation, the genotypic specificity of regeneration protocols, and the reproducibility of existing methods. The complexity of the Cannabis genome, characterized by a high degree of polymorphism and multiple copies of specific genes, further exacerbates these challenges. Moreover, the current research landscape is marred by a lack of standardized protocols and variable responses among different Cannabis varieties, necessitating more robust and universally applicable protocols. This review underscores the pressing need for further research to optimize protocols for higher efficiency and to develop suitable systems for in-vitro plantlet regeneration. Cannabis sativa, Genetic transformation, Hemp, Regeneration, Tissue culture

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.

Morphometric approaches to Cannabis evolution and differentiation from archaeological sites: interpreting the archaeobotanical evidence from bronze age Haimenkou, Yunnan

Cannabis grains are frequently reported from archaeological sites in Asia, and hypothesized centers of origins are China and Central Asia. Chinese early cannabis remains are often interpreted as evidence of hemp fabric production, in line with early textual evidence describing ritualistic hemp cloth use and hemp cultivation as a grain crop. Modern measurements on cannabis varieties show distinct sizes between fibre or oil/fibre and psychoactive varieties, the former having larger seeds on average than the latter. This paper reviews the current macro-botanical evidence for cannabis across East, Central and South Asia and builds a comparative framework based on modern cannabis seed measurements to help identify cannabis use in the past, through the metric analysis of archaeologically preserved seeds. Over 800 grains of cannabis were retrieved from the 2008 excavation of Haimenkou, Yunnan, Southwest China, dating to between 1650 and 400 bc. These are compared with other known archaeological cannabis and interpreted through the metric framework. This offers a basis for exploration of the seed morphometrics potential to infer cannabis cultivation and diversification in uses. At Haimenkou, cannabis seeds size mostly plot in the range of overlapping psychoactive/fibre types; we therefore suggest that the cannabis assemblage from Haimenkou is indicative of a crop beginning to undergo evolution from its early domesticated form towards a diversified crop specialized for alternative uses, including larger oilseed/fibre adapted varieties.

Medicinal Cannabis: Extended Stability of Cannabis Extracts Produced Using a New Ethanol-based Extraction Method.

Cannabis as a therapeutic agent is increasing in popularity all around the globe, particularly in Western countries, and its potential is now well assessed. On the other hand, each country has its own regulation for the preparation of cannabis macerated oils; in Italy, there are only a few preparation methods allowed. With this work, we aim to perform a stability study of cannabis oils produced with a novel method for the extraction of cannabinoids from cannabis inflorescence. Three different varieties of cannabis were used, with and without the adding of tocopherol acetate as an antioxidant. Cannabinoids were extracted using ethanol at room temperature; then, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the preparations reconstituted with olive oil. In this work, we assessed the stability of both cannabinoids and terpenes in these formulas over 8 months. Cannabinoid stability was assessed by monitoring the concentrations of THC and CBD, while terpene stability was assessed by monitoring β-Caryophyllene and α-Humulene concentrations. Stability of the extracts was not influenced by the presence of tocopherol acetate, though refrigeration seems to be detrimental for a long storage of products, especially regarding THC concentrations. The improvements offered by this method reside in the flexibility in controlling the concentration of the extract and the ability to produce highly concentrated oils, alongside the possibility to produce standardized oils despite the variability of the starting plant material.

Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Diverse Drug-Type Cannabis Varieties from the Canadian Legal Market.

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) stands as a historically significant and culturally important plant, embodying economic, social, and medicinal relevance for human societies. However, years of prohibition and stigmatization have hindered the cannabis research community, which is hugely undersized and suffers from a scarcity of understanding of cannabis genetics and how key traits are expressed or inherited. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive phenotypic characterization of 176 drug-type cannabis accessions, representative of Canada's legal market. We assessed germination methods, evaluated various traits including agronomic, morphological, and cannabinoid profiles, and uncovered significant variation within this population. Notably, the yield displayed a negative correlation with maturity-related traits but a positive correlation with the fresh biomass. Additionally, the potential THC content showed a positive correlation with maturity-related traits but a negative correlation with the yield. Significant differences were observed between the plants derived from regular female seeds and feminized seeds, as well as between the plants derived from cuttings and seeds for different traits. This study advances our understanding of cannabis cultivation, offering insights into germination practices, agronomic traits, morphological characteristics, and biochemical diversity. These findings establish a foundation for precise breeding and cultivar development, enhancing cannabis's potential in the legal market.

Урожайность и содержание белка в семенах сортов среднерусской однодомной конопли при разных нормах высева в Среднем Предуралье

The article presents the results of scientific research for 2020-2022 on the study of the content and harvesting of protein with the yield of cannabis varieties depending on the seeding rate in the soil and meteorological conditions of the Middle Urals. The soil of the experimental plots in the years of laying the experiments differed in the agrochemical characteristics of the arable layer: low and medium humus content, high and elevated – mobile phosphorus, elevated and very high – mobile potassium. The soil solution had a strongly acidic, medium acidic and close to neutral reaction. On sod-medium-podzolic medium loamy soil, the Vera variety stood out in terms of seed yield, providing seed productivity of 71 g/m2 in 2020, 193 g/m2 in 2021 and 128 g/m2 in 2022 with a crude protein content of 21.6%, 20.2%, 22.4%, respectively, by year. On average, over the years of research, the collection of raw protein with a yield of 291 and 303 kg/ha of the Nadezhda and Vera varieties had 1.2 million units/ha at the seeding rate, Surskaya hemp formed more raw protein in a yield of 273 kg/ha at a seeding rate of 0.8 million units/ha. The seeding rate of 0.4 million units/ha provided the highest 22.0–25.7% crude protein content in hemp seeds. Keywords: HEMP, VARIETY, SEEDING RATE, CRUDE PROTEIN, YIELD, SEEDS

The influence of agricultural practices on photosynthetic activity and productivity of a new variety of cannabis in the Middle Volga region

Relevance. In 2023, a new variety of single-domed drug-free cannabis, Lyudmila, of the fibrous direction of use, passed the State Examination and was approved for accreditation for admis-sion to use on the territory of the Russian Federation. In this regard, research on the development of elements of cultivation technology in specific soil and climatic conditions is of scientific and practical interest.Methods. The scientific experiment is based on methodological guidelines for registration tests offungicides in agriculture and methodological guidelines for conducting field and vegetation tests with cannabis. Indicators of photosynthetic activity of plants in crops were determined by the method of A.A. Nichiporovich. Mathematical processing of experimental data was carried out by the method of dispersion analysis according to B.A. Dospekhov.Results. Foliar top dressing contributed to an increase in the assimilation surface of the leaves in the variants with the treatment of plants for vegetation with preparations: Izagri Phosphorus — from 111.0 to 155.7 thousand m2/ha, Izagri Vita — from 112.2 to 139.7 thousand m2/ha, Humate +7 — from 135.9 to 148.4 thousand m2/ha (with 101.1–114.3 thousand m2/ha under control). The high yield of stems was obtained when sowing with a seeding rate of 3 million germinating seeds per hectare — 15.67 t/ha, with a decrease in the seeding rate to 2.5 and 2.0 million germinating seeds per hectare, the yield of stems decreased to 14.48–12.98 t/ha. Foliar treatments are effective, the yield of stems on the treated variants is higher than the control by 0.36–0.9 t/ha. The highest seed yield was obtained when sowing with a seeding rate of 2.5 million germinating seeds per hectare, on average 0.98 t/ha.