Phytoplant | Impact of Plant Density and Irrigation on Yield of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in a Mediterranean Semi-arid Environment

Impact of Plant Density and Irrigation on Yield of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in a Mediterranean Semi-arid Environment

Introduction

It is one of the first articles published by Phytoplant where the behavior of hemp, Cannabis sativa L. in Andalusia (SW of Spain) is evaluated, with an important potential in local agroclimatic conditions, subjecting it to different plant densities and irrigation. With the aim of developing strategies for sustainable water management and introducing alternative crops to sustain the viability of agroecosystems.

Material and méthods

Two cultivars (Carma and Ermes) were tested at three plant densities i.e. 40,000, 20,000, and 10,000 plants ha-1, under two irrigation regimes: i) fully irrigated with total water supply equal to 100% of ETc; and ii) deficit irrigation with 80% of ETc. The experimental design was a split-split plot with four replications per combination. At harvest, yield and its components (weight, plant height, stem diameter, and the weight of leaves and flowers relative to the stem weight) were evaluated. Also, the production of chemical compounds for medical use (terpenoids, and fatty acids Omega 3 and 6) were analyzed.

Results

The results showed that cv. Carma was the most appropriate in agricultural terms, with a yield significantly higher than cv. Ermes. In terms of plant density, 40,000 and 20,000 plants ha-1 gave the best results for yield, without significant impact by irrigation rates. Regarding the capability of these varieties to produce relevant chemicals, cv. Ermes yielded higher amounts than did cv. Carma. The statistical analyses concerning the influence of the irrigation treatments on fresh matter, total dry weight, dry weight of leaves and inflorescence, and stem weight showed significant differences between the fully irrigated plots and highest planting density compared with the lowest density plots. Regarding chemical compounds contents, the overall analysis showed higher contents of β-myrcene and limonene in comparison to α-pinene. The contents of these compounds were not determined by the crop variety, and were very similar in the studied cultivars

Discusion

These results suggest that plant density is the main factor governing yield under Mediterranean conditions. The contents of these compounds were not determined by the crop variety, and were very similar in the studied cultivars, getting higher contents of β-myrcene and limonene in comparison to α-pinene. These results agree with those of Casano et al. (2010), who reported that the presence of some of these compounds, specifically terpenes, is defined by genetic factors and not by environmental ones.

Go to the publication

Other publications

First Report of Charcoal Rot Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina on Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Varieties Cultivated in Southern Spain

Development of ornamental Cannabis sativa L. cultivars: phytochemical, morphological, genetic characterization and propagation aspects

Influence of media composition and genotype for successful Cannabis sativa L. in vitro introduction

Yield of new hemp varieties for medical purposes in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment (Spain)

Cannabinoids and terpenoids yields of the ornamental Cannabis sativa L. cultivar ‘Divina’ characterized by a variegated foliage as morphological marker

Cannabidiol Prevents the Expression of the Locomotor Sensitization and the Metabolic Changes in the Nucleus Accumbent and Prefrontal Cortex Elicited by the Combined Administration of Cocaine and Caffeine in Rats.

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a potent PPARγ agonist with neuroprotective activity.

Binding and Signaling Studies Disclose a Potential Allosteric Site for Cannabidiol in Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors.

Cannabigerol Action at Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors and at CB1–CB2 Heteroreceptor Complexes.

Seeking suitable agronomical practices for industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation for biomedical applications.

Cannabidiol skews biased agonism at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors with smaller effect in CB1-CB2 heteroreceptor complexes.

Potentiation of cannabinoid signaling in microglia by adenosine A2A receptor antagonists

Pharmacological potential of varinic-, minor-, and acidic phytocannabinoids

Pharmacological data of cannabidiol- and cannabigerol-type phytocannabinoids acting on cannabinoid CB1, CB2 and CB1/CB2 heteromer receptors.

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy to estimate the content of cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L.: A comparative study.

Untargeted characterization of extracts from Cannabis sativa L. cultivars by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in high resolution mode.

A Comparative In Vitro Study of the Neuroprotective Effect Induced by Cannabidiol, Cannabigerol, and Their Respective Acid Forms: Relevance of the 5-HT1A Receptors.

Exploring the mysteries of cannabis through gas chromatography

Biological Activity of Cannabis sativa L. Extracts Critically Depends on Solvent Polarity and Decarboxylation.

Thermal desorption-ion mobility spectrometry: A rapid sensor for the detection of cannabinoids and discrimination of Cannabis sativa L. chemotypes

Similarities and differences upon binding of naturally occurring Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-derivatives to cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors

Politica de Calidad

Ayudas de la Unión Europea para el autoconsumo fotovoltaico

Other services

Plant material

Check our Variety catalogue

Technical assistance

Experience and scientific rigor to walk by your side in your project.

Licensable technology

Use our varieties and patented technological processes.

Research

R+D+i in cultivation, breeding and extraction.

Ask for information

Can we be of help to you? Do you have any questions about us? Write to us and we will contact you as soon as possible.

To enable the functionality of sending messages from the website we need you to accept technical cookies, as we use Google's reCAPTCHA 3 to prevent messages from fraudulent bots.

Accept the use of technical cookies