Influence of agroclimatic conditions on content of main cannabinoids in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

Abstract

In a six-year field experiment eight industrial hemp varieties were examined for ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) contents. The study analyzed the influence of growing degree days (GDD), soil temperature at 5 cm, air humidity, and growing season precipitation on the levels of the main cannabinoids in this crop. Agroclimatic conditions do not influence THC and CBD contents in industrial hemp in the same way. THC synthesis and accumulation are under the significant positive influence of GDD and air humidity and under the negative influence of precipitation, while soil temperature at 5 cm has no significant effect on it. Soil temperature at 5 cm has a significant positive effect on the CBD content, as do GDD. Precipitation has a negative influence on the CBD content of industrial hemp, while air humidity has no influence on it.