In recent years there has been renewed interest on hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), thanks to its versatility. This encouraged numerous studies aimed to improving cultural techniques, selection of genotypes and definition of appropriate working and processing protocols, depending on the intended use. A crucial parameter in cultivation protocols is the light to which plants are exposed both during the vegetative and flowering phase1. Light is one of the most important factors influencing various aspects of the development and physiology of hemp, and content of active compounds2. The aim of this paper was to study the influence of three different lighting systems (HPS "agro"; Led with dynamic spectrum and Led with fixed horticulture spectrum) on growth, flowering and content of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis plants obtained by seed or cutting. The trial was carried out in three independent boxes at the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science (University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy). All stages of the crop cycle were monitored by morphological parameters. Analysis of the content in cannabinoids and in terpenes was carried out at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Milan), respectively by HPLC/UV and HS-GC/MS-Q3,4. Among the different lighting system, Led with dynamic spectrum allowed to obtain a better behavior of hemp plants both in the phases of growth and development and in productivity. Regarding the effects on the quality of the inflorescences, the results obtained showed an increase in the cannabinoid content in the plants grown under the lamps tested, in particular with the Led plants, compared to the natural light in which the mother plants grew. On average, the essential oil of hemp plants was characterized by the main components β-Myrcene, followed by α-Pinene and β-Pinene and the largest amounts of terpenes were obtained under Led with a fixed horticulture spectrum. Although Led lighting systems represent an important tool for the development of innovative and sustainable hemp culture, it will be necessary to investigate some aspects related to the response of the crop to the modulation of the light spectrum and to the definition of a coherent agronomic management technique.
Influence of different lighting systems on the growth and content in active compounds of hemp plants
Ruta C.
;De Mastro G.
2022-01-01
Abstract
In recent years there has been renewed interest on hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), thanks to its versatility. This encouraged numerous studies aimed to improving cultural techniques, selection of genotypes and definition of appropriate working and processing protocols, depending on the intended use. A crucial parameter in cultivation protocols is the light to which plants are exposed both during the vegetative and flowering phase1. Light is one of the most important factors influencing various aspects of the development and physiology of hemp, and content of active compounds2. The aim of this paper was to study the influence of three different lighting systems (HPS "agro"; Led with dynamic spectrum and Led with fixed horticulture spectrum) on growth, flowering and content of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis plants obtained by seed or cutting. The trial was carried out in three independent boxes at the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science (University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy). All stages of the crop cycle were monitored by morphological parameters. Analysis of the content in cannabinoids and in terpenes was carried out at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Milan), respectively by HPLC/UV and HS-GC/MS-Q3,4. Among the different lighting system, Led with dynamic spectrum allowed to obtain a better behavior of hemp plants both in the phases of growth and development and in productivity. Regarding the effects on the quality of the inflorescences, the results obtained showed an increase in the cannabinoid content in the plants grown under the lamps tested, in particular with the Led plants, compared to the natural light in which the mother plants grew. On average, the essential oil of hemp plants was characterized by the main components β-Myrcene, followed by α-Pinene and β-Pinene and the largest amounts of terpenes were obtained under Led with a fixed horticulture spectrum. Although Led lighting systems represent an important tool for the development of innovative and sustainable hemp culture, it will be necessary to investigate some aspects related to the response of the crop to the modulation of the light spectrum and to the definition of a coherent agronomic management technique.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
