Journal article
Morpho-physiology and cannabinoid concentrations of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are affected by potassium fertilisers and microbes under tropical conditions
Industrial Crops and Products, Vol.182, Art. 114907
2022
Abstract
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a crop with the potential for multiple products. However, there is a lack of information regarding the effects of some key nutrients and soil microbiology. Potassium (K) and microbes can affect plant physiology, growth, and secondary metabolite production. A glasshouse experiment in a fully controlled growth room was undertaken to assess K requirements and effects on physiology on a tropical/subtropical variety of industrial hemp, ECO-GH15, bred for Australian conditions by Ecofibre (Brisbane, QLD, Australia). Increasing rates of K of conventional fertiliser liquid applications were applied to hemp plants and compared to a slow-release form containing soil microbes (SRK) under short daylength (12.5 h), simulating a tropical environment. Application of 11, 43 and 129 ppm of conventional fast-release potassium K as potassium sulphate (K2SO4), or a slow (controlled) release form (131 ppm of K), were applied to plants and their growth parameters compared. A series of physiological and growth response data was collected, including photosynthesis response to increasing active radiation (PAR or PPFD) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and cannabinoid production. Plant growth responses, such as stalk diameter, height, and shoot dry weight, increased with SRK application, while no differences were observed between the three increasing conventional K rates. The lower conventional K rate (11 ppm) resulted in increased photosynthetic activity up to 600–700 PPFD. Physiological data showed that the increasing K rate produced less efficient plants in terms of PPFD and CO2 utilisation. Cannabinoid analysis showed an increase in cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) at the higher K rate, while the SRK increased the production of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and similar cannabinoids. This study revealed that sustained nutrient application improved plant photosynthesis and gas exchange regulation resulting in increased plant growth and cannabinoid production under tropical conditions, and helped to better understand the role of K in plant stress and physiological efficiency.
Details
- Title
- Morpho-physiology and cannabinoid concentrations of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are affected by potassium fertilisers and microbes under tropical conditions
- Authors/Creators
- L. De Prato (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityO. Ansari (Author/Creator) - Ananda Food Limited, Beresfield, NSW 2322, AustraliaG.E.St.J. Hardy (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityJ. Howieson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityG. O’Hara (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityK.X. Ruthrof (Author/Creator) - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Publication Details
- Industrial Crops and Products, Vol.182, Art. 114907
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Identifiers
- 991005544766007891
- Copyright
- © 2022 Crown Copyright.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Food Futures Institute; Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
88 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.100 Substance Abuse
- 1.100.625 Cannabinoids
- Web Of Science research areas
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agronomy
- ESI research areas
- Agricultural Sciences