Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Varieties and Seed Pre-Treatments Affect Seed Germination and Early Growth of Seedlings

Abstract

Seed germination and seedling growth are two essential early determinants of subsequent crop yield and quality. A high germination percentage of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed is required to import into Australia. The viability of hemp seed can decline rapidly depending on storage and other factors; hence, the quality of imported seed is not always reliable. Here, we aimed to investigate germination and early seedling growth responses of 14 industrial hemp varieties after being imported from various countries. Germination trials were conducted with 100 seeds of 14 varieties using a soil-less Petri dish assay and a compost growth medium under glasshouse conditions. We also assessed the effect of seed pre-treatments such as gibberellic acid (500 and 1000 mg·L−1), chlorine dioxide (500 and 1000 mg·L−1) and cold temperature (4 °C for 72 h) using 300 seeds of each of the three selected varieties in compost growth medium. Hemp varieties imported from China had higher germination and better seedling growth indices than those imported from Europe. All seed pre-treatments were associated with a decreasing trend in germination, but a positive effect on early growth responses was observed. Our findings indicate that the hemp variety Han FNQ performed better than many other varieties did regarding seed germination and seedling growth. Hemp seeds sanitising with 500 mg·L−1 of chlorine dioxide might improve the germination and early growth of seedlings.

A Comparative Study of the Biometric, Germinative, and Physicochemical Characteristics of Fruits and Oils of Three Cannabis Strains (Cannabis sativa L.var indica) Cultivated in the Rif Region of Morocco

“…Similar rates have been reported for cannabis fibers of European and Chinese origin. Islam et al, (2022) 50 report a germination rate of 28% in the European variety 'Santhica,' and 54% and 58% in Chinese varieties 'Yuma1' and 'Han COLD' , respectively.…”

Exogenously Applied GA3 Enhances Morphological Parameters of Tolerant and Sensitive Cyclamen persicum Genotypes under Ambient Temperature and Heat Stress Conditions

“…Conversely, the germination rate of Lavandula angustifolia ‘Codreanca’ and ‘Sevtopolis’ were favorably influenced with application of GA 3 at doses of 200 and 300 mg/L [ 35 ]. Industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) seed pre-treatments with high levels of GA 3 (500 and 1000 mg/L) were associated with a decreasing trend in germination, but a positive effect on early growth responses was observed [ 36 ]. Priming treatment of Brassica napus L. seeds with 300 mg/L GA 3 showed a significantly increased drought tolerance index compared with control and improved seedling tolerance to drought stress [ 37 ].…”

Yield and content of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in medicinal cannabis (Cannabis sativa) grown in the Ecuadorian highlands

“…When light is scarce, plants grow thin, with few leaves, small and thin inflorescences oriented in the direction of light entry (Schoepke, 2014). The viability of cannabis seeds decreases rapidly and depends on factors such as storage, thus the quality of imported seed is not reliable (Islam et al, 2022). The seed germination process begins with the absorption of water by the inactive dry seed and concludes with the development of the embryonic axis and is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.…”

“…In addition, the most important factors for germination include water, temperature, oxygen and light (Riftna et al, 2019). In a study conducted by Islam et al (2022), when analyzing the germination percentage of seedlings of 14 industrial hemp varieties, it varied from 13 to 92%.…”