Cannabinoids Accumulation in Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Plants under LED Light Spectra and Their Discrete Role as a Stress Marker

Abstract

Hemp adaptability through physiological and biochemical changes was studied under 10 LED light spectra and natural light in a controlled aeroponic system. Light treatments were imposed on 25 days aged seedlings for 16 h daily (300 µmol m−2 s−1) for 20 days. Plant accumulated highest Cannabidiol (CBD) in R7:B2:G1 light treatment, with relatively higher photosynthetic rate and lower reactive oxygen species, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and antioxidant enzymatic activities. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also accumulated at a higher level in white, R8:B2, and R7:B2:G1 light with less evidence of stress-modulated substances. These results indicated that CBD and THC have no or little relation with light-mediated abiotic stress in hemp plants. On the contrary, Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) was accumulated higher in R6:B2:G1:FR1 and R5:B2:W2:FR1 light treatment along with lower photosynthetic rate and higher reactive oxygen species, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and antioxidant enzymatic activities. However, Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) was accumulated higher in R6:B2:G1:FR1 light treatment with higher stress-modulated substances and lower physiological traits. CBDA was also accumulated higher in R8:B2 and R7:B2:G1 light treatments with less evidence of stress-modulated substances. Besides, Greenlight influenced CBD and CBDA synthesis where FR and UV-A (along with green) play a positive and negative role in this process. Overall, the results indicated that the treatment R7:B2:G1 enhanced the medicinal cannabinoids most, and the role of THCA as a stress marker is more decisive in the hemp plant than in other cannabinoids under attributed light-mediated stress.

Do Greenhouse Cover Materials Affect Cannabis Performance?

“…Increased light transmission could reportedly intensify photosynthesis (Singh et al, 2013). The improved nutritional status of the plant and the increased photosynthetic activity are probably responsible for the increased weight and CBD content of the buds (Islam et al, 2021). Similarly, to our findings, Folina et al (2020) have stated that improved plant nutrition increases the CBD content and the average bud weight of Futura 75 hemp plants.…”

Effects of Light Spectral Quality on the Micropropagated Raspberry Plants during Ex Vitro Adaptation

“…Or course, this dynamic light environment optimization requires further research. There are data on the LED spectra effects on the production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the electron transport system and activation of various plant defense mechanisms [ 87 ]. Studies with raspberry plants grown in vitro with quasimonochromatic light, as mentioned before, also demonstrated spectral variation in the LED effects both on the ROS accumulation and scavenger activity [ 47 ].…”

Cannabis sativa L.: Crop Management and Abiotic Factors That Affect Phytocannabinoid Production

“…The modification of the light spectrum during the development of cannabis is a widespread technique among growers that has been shown as an alternative to manipulate the production of phytocannabinoids [79][80][81]. Table 1 summarizes the most relevant studies in relation to the effects, advantages, and disadvantages of different sources of light and radiation for phytocannabinoid production.…”