Impact of Different Phytohormones on Morphology, Yield and Cannabinoid Content of Cannabis sativa L.

The impact of exogenously applied plant growth regulators (PGR), 1-naphthalenaecetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and a mixture of both (NAA/BAP-mix), was investigated in regard to plant height, length of axillary branches, number of internodes, biomass yield and cannabinoid content of three different phytocannabinoid-rich (PCR) Cannabis genotypes. The results showed that total plant height was significantly reduced under the application of NAA (28%), BAP (18%), and NAA/BAP-mix treated plants (15%). Axillary branch length was also significantly reduced by 58% (NAA) and 30% (NAA/BAP-mix). BAP did not significantly reduce the length of axillary branches. The number of internodes was reduced by NAA (19%), BAP (10%), and the NAA/BAP-mix (14%) compared to the untreated control. NAA application influenced the plant architecture of the tested cv. KANADA beneficially, resulting in a more compact growth habitus, while inflorescence yield (23.51 g plant-1) remained similar compared to the control (24.31 g plant-1). Inflorescence yield of v. 0.2x and cv. FED was reduced due to PGR application while cannabinoid content remained stable. Overall, the application of PGR could be used on a genotype-specific level to beneficially influence plant architecture and optimize inflorescence yield per unit area and thus cannabinoid yield, especially in the presence of space limitations under indoor cultivation.

Evolution of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Content during the Growth of Cannabis sativa Plants from Different Chemotypes.

The evolution of major cannabinoids and terpenes during the growth of Cannabis sativa plants was studied. In this work, seven different plants were selected: three each from chemotypes I and III and one from chemotype II. Fifty clones of each mother plant were grown indoors under controlled conditions. Every week, three plants from each variety were cut and dried, and the leaves and flowers were analyzed separately. Eight major cannabinoids were analyzed via HPLC-DAD, and 28 terpenes were quantified using GC-FID and verified via GC-MS. The chemotypes of the plants, as defined by the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid/cannabidiolic acid (THCA/CBDA) ratio, were clear from the beginning and stable during growth. The concentrations of the major cannabinoids and terpenes were determined, and different patterns were found among the chemotypes. In particular, the plants from chemotypes II and III needed more time to reach peak production of THCA, CBDA, and monoterpenes. Differences in the cannabigerolic acid development among the different chemotypes and between monoterpene and sesquiterpene evolution patterns were also observed. Plants of different chemotypes were clearly differentiated by their terpene content, and characteristic terpenes of each chemotype were identified.