Enhancement of growth and Cannabinoids content of hemp (Cannabis sativa) using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to promote growth and cannabinoid yield of Cannabis sativa KKU05. A completely randomized design (CRD) was conducted with six replications for 60 days. Two different species of AMF, Rhizophagus prolifer PC2-2 and R. aggregatus BM-3 g3 were selected as inocula and compared with two non-mycorrhizal controls, one without synthetic fertilizer and one with synthetic NPK fertilizer. The unfertilized non-mycorrhizal plants had the lowest performance, whereas plants inoculated with R. aggregatus BM-3 g3 performed best, both in terms of plant biomass and concentrations of CBD and THC. There were no significant differences in plant biomass and cannabinoid concentrations between non-mycorrhizal plants that received synthetic fertilizer and mycorrhizal plants with inoculum of R. prolifer PC2-2. Our data demonstrate the great potential for cannabis cultivation without risking deterioration of soil structure, such as soil hardening and increased acidity, which might be induced by long-term use of synthetic fertilizer.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhance Growth and Increase Concentrations of Anthocyanin, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

“…The underlying mechanism of enhanced synthesis of these bioactive compounds is currently unknown. In a study on Cannabis sativa [41], the increase in bioactive compounds was correlated with increases in phosphorus acquisition. However, in this study, mineral fertilizer plants showed the highest shoot concentration of N, P, and K, but this did not result in the highest concentrations of bioactive compounds.…”

“…Both nutritional and non-nutritional factors have therefore been proposed to explain the increased production of secondary metabolites in AMF-colonized plants [35]. Nutritional mechanisms refer to the improvement of the nutritional condition of the host [41][42][43]. Zhao et al [35] summarized current knowledge on potential non-nutritional mechanisms by stating that AMF colonization results in the activation of plant defense mechanisms with the production of phenolics and flavonoids.…”

Antioxidative Response and Phenolic Content of Young Industrial Hemp Leaves at Different Light and Mycorrhiza

“…( P. fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegens , and P. putida ), seem to be naturally present in hemp tissues and surrounding soil. In a study with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( Rhizophagus prolifer and R. aggregatus ) Seemakram et al [ 62 ] found a significant influence on plant length, leaf surface area (cm 2 ) and root dry weight, but also increment of plant total cannabinoids content (CBD, CBDA, CBG, THC) with mycorrhizal fungi 60 days after sowing C. sativa (cultivar KKU05).…”

Interactive impact of potassium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the root morphology and nutrient uptake of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)

“…Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could live in a mutualistic symbiosis with plant roots of the majority (> 80%) of terrestrial plant species ( Kalamulla et al, 2022 ; Seemakram et al, 2022 ). Sweet potato was easily colonized by mycorrhizal fungi ( O’Keefe and Sylvia, 1993 ; Minemba et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Therefore, the beneficial interaction of AMF with sweet potato is considered suitable for the cultivation of sweet potato. Typically, AMF develop extraradical mycelia that extend the depletion zone that develops around roots, and facilitate the acquisition of nutrients of low mobility ( Seemakram et al, 2022 ). Consistent with this phenomenon, a meta-analysis about the effects of AMF on plant growth and nutrient uptake reflected that AMF could increase plant nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and K uptake by 22.1, 36.3, and 18.5%, respectively ( Chandrasekaran, 2020 ).…”