Cultivation of low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa L. cultivation in Victoria, Australia: Do we know enough?

Abstract

Late 2017, the ban on the cultivation and consumption of low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa L. in Victoria, was lifted by the Federal Government of Australia. Its legalization presents the opportunity for Victoria to become a leading producer and distributer of these economically valuable hemp products. However, as a novel crop to Victoria, there is little information available for obtaining economically viable yields. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to firstly, develop an understanding of the environmental requirements shared by C. sativa cultivars, and what conditions promote fibre and grain yields. Secondly, it seeks to identify what farming practices have been conducted throughout Europe, Canada and China, and to explore whether these practices could be adapted to Victoria. Thirdly, the review will assist in making recommendations regarding which cultivars would be 'potential' candidates for commencing trials under Victorian climates so to find out the varieties that can provide high yields for fibre, grain and dual-purpose production. This review notes that Victoria shares a similar climate to central Europe, and has an ideal climate for the development of a successful hemp industry, as it has suitable lengths of daylight throughout spring and summer months and meets the precipitation requirements. This review has thus strongly suggested that the properties and attributes of European varieties of C. sativa should be further researched for site-specific cultivation in Victoria for fibre, grain and dual-purpose production in order to maximise harvest yields.

Prospects of Cannabis and its Cultivation in Sri Lanka

“…Basically, the adaptation of a variety depends largely on their sensitivity to photoperiod and temperature (Amaducci et al 2012;Hall et al 2012). Cannabis generally prefers high temperatures and a relatively long photoperiod (Cole & Zurbo 2008;Hall et al 2013;Hall et al 2014a;Humphries & Florentine 2019).…”

“…Furthermore, Cannabis possesses the ability to produce some allelochemicals which could suppress the growth and establishment of weeds (Campiglia et al 2017). Therefore, continuous cultivation of Cannabis for several years in the same piece of lands negatively affects the seedbanks for problematic weeds (Humphries and Florentine 2019). It has been reported that C. sativa is able to produce a germination inhibiting essential oil, which could suppress some agricultural weeds by acting as an effective botanical herbicide (Agnieska et al 2016).…”

“…Cannabis sativa possesses a strong root system with a tap root which could penetrate to the soil down to two meters enabling the plant to absorb moisture from deeper layers of soil, thus the water requirements of the crop is considered to be moderate (Amaducci et al 2008b;Humphries & Florentine 2019).…”

“…According to Schäfer & Honermeier (2006), dry conditions negatively impact on plant height and stem diameter. The water requirement of the crop could easily be met with an annual rainfall of about 600-700 mm (Humphries & Florentine 2019). Without rainfall, a minimum irrigation would be enough for the crop (Zatta et al 2012;Humphries & Florentine 2019).…”

“…The water requirement of the crop could easily be met with an annual rainfall of about 600-700 mm (Humphries & Florentine 2019). Without rainfall, a minimum irrigation would be enough for the crop (Zatta et al 2012;Humphries & Florentine 2019). Under European conditions, Cannabis gives optimum yield when the plant receives around 500-700 mm moisture (Bócsa & Karus 1998), while many regions Cannabis cultivation is rain-fed cultivations.…”