•The cultivar effect on stem and seed yield was determined mainly by flowering time.•A large variation in bast fibre content of commercial cultivar was found. Harvesting at seed maturity increased ...stem yield only of monoecious varieties.•Modelling can aid design of production strategies for dual-purpose hemp.
Interest in hemp as a multi-purpose crop is growing worldwide and for the first time in 2015 it was cultivated in Europe on more than 20.000ha as a dual-purpose crop, for the seeds and for the fibre. In the present study, fibre and seed productivity of 14 commercial cultivars were tested in four contrasting European environments (Latvia, the Czech Republic, France, Italy). At full flowering, the stem yield ranged from 3.7Mgha−1 to 22.7Mgha−1, the bast fibre content ranged from 21% to 43%, and the bast fibre yield ranged from 1.3Mgha−1 to 7.4Mgha−1. When harvesting was postponed from full flowering until seed maturity, the stem yield of monoecious cultivars significantly increased but in dioecious cultivars it decreased at all tested sites, except for Italy. Only the early cultivars Fedora 17 and Markant produced seed in the most northern location Latvia. The seed yield ranged from 0.3Mgha−1 to 2.4Mgha−1 in Italy, France and the Czech Republic. The cultivar effect on stem and seed yield was mainly determined by the genetic variation in time of flowering. Stem yield at full flowering was strictly related to the duration of the vegetative phase while seed yield was lowest in the late flowering cultivar. The late cultivar CS is suitable for stem and fibre production as it had the highest stem yield at full flowering in all locations. Both Fedora 17 and Futura 75 are candidate cultivars for dual-purpose production in Italy, France and the Czech Republic, with Fedora 17 being more suitable for seed production and Futura 75 for fibre production.
The application of modelling to design production strategies for dual-purpose hemp is promising. However, accurate parameterisation is needed based on large data sets and diverse genetic background.
•The effects of planting density and nitrogen fertilization on hemp stem and seed yields did not interact.•Planting density of 90–150 plants m−2 are recommended for dual-purpose production.•Hemp has ...high nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen fertilization rate at 60kgNha−1 was generally sufficient.•A critical nitrogen dilution curve was determined for hemp.
Harvesting hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for both stems and seeds is now a common practice in Europe while crop management strategies for dual-purpose hemp cultivation have not been properly addressed so far. In the present study, the effects of planting density and nitrogen fertilization on hemp stem and seed yields were tested with the cultivars Futura 75 and/or Bialobrzeskie in eight contrasting environments (Italy in 2013; Italy and Latvia in 2014; Italy (two sites), Latvia, the Czech Republic, and France in 2015). Stem yield ranged between 1.3 and 22.3Mgha−1. The effects of planting density and nitrogen fertilization on stem yield did not interact significantly with each other, or with cultivar and harvest time. Increasing planting density from 30 to 120 plants m−2 and increasing nitrogen fertilization rate from 0 to 60kgNha−1 increased stem yield by 29% and 32%, respectively. Further increase in planting density and nitrogen fertilization did not result in a significant increase in stem yield. Seed yield ranged from 0.3 to 2.1Mgha−1. The seed yield was not affected significantly by planting density between 30 and 240 plants m−2. Although the seed yield showed an increasing trend with increasing nitrogen fertilization, the effects of nitrogen fertilization on seed yield were not statistically significant.
To grow hemp as a dual-purpose crop it is recommended to plant 90–150 plants m−2 across all tested environments. Nitrogen fertilization rate at 60kg N ha−1 was generally sufficient in the tested environments whereas further optimization of nitrogen fertilization requires accurate assessment of plant nitrogen status. To facilitate assessing plant nutritional status, a critical nitrogen dilution curve was determined for hemp and a practical method to determine nitrogen nutritional status was discussed.
•Cannflavin A content in threshing residue is affected by variety and air temperature.•Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol accumulation support late harvesting for multipurpose ...application.•Precipitation level and distribution affect cannabidiol level in threshing residues.
Industrial hemp cultivation in Europe is dual-purpose, with stalks providing fibers and hurds, and seeds being used for food, feed and pharmaceutical applications. Economic sustainability of hemp cultivation should encompass the possibility of recovering non-narcotic secondary metabolites from hemp by-products (leaves, leaflets and bracts) originating from seed harvest and seed cleaning procedures. Surprisingly, no information is currently available on the contents of high added value bioactive compounds (CBD, CBG, cannflavin A, Δ9-THC) in industrial hemp inflorescence and threshing residues. This observation provided a rationale for investigating the issue on three monoecious varieties grown in Northern Italy. The concentration of target compounds was monitored from full-flowering until plant senescence by LC–MS/MS analysis of methanolic extracts of the plant biomass. The anti-inflammatory prenylated flavonoid cannflavin A was present in all varieties at levels mainly affected by genotype and air temperature. Conversely, the concentration of CBD, currently the clinically most promising non-narcotic cannabinoid, correlated to the overall extent and distribution of precipitation during growing cycle. Our findings suggest that postponing harvest after seed maturity increases the CBD contents and increase the CBD/Δ9-THC ratio in harvest threshing.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multi-purpose crop that finds applications in technical textile, paper, food, cosmetic and automotive industries. Due to the increasing demand for sustainable fibres, ...the hemp fibre sector is expected to grow in the future. However, overall information on the effect of agronomic practices on decortication efficiency and hemp fibre quality traits is very limited. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between agro-technique, decortication process, and energy consumption properties. In this paper, four planting densities, four levels of nitrogen fertilisation and two harvesting times were compared in different environments to evaluate the effect of agronomy on stem and fibre processing properties, including energy requirements, using a lab-scaled hemp stem decorticator. The present work highlights that the optimal plant density and nitrogen fertilisation levels to reach high decortication efficiency are 120 plants m−2 and from 0 to 100 Kg N ha−1, respectively. The effect of nitrogen and density on the considered properties is mediated by their influence on stem diameter. The highest decortication efficiency and the highest efficiency in energy use were observed at full flowering. On the contrary the fineness of the fibre, which was only evaluated in one environment, was highest in stems harvested at seed maturity, in particular when plant densities above 120 plants m−2 and when 60–100 Kg N ha−1 were applied. The methodology used in this work effectively evaluates the impact of agro-technique on the efficiency and energy requirements of hemp decortication.
•Decorticability decreases with high nitrogen fertilization and delaying the harvest.•60–120 plant m−2 is the recommended plant density to maximise decorticability.•Energetic efficiency of decortication is highest at 120 plants m−2 and 60 kg N ha−1.•60 kg N ha−1 and harvest at seed maturity provide finer fibre bundles.•Fibre bundle fineness increases at high plant density.
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•SiO2, a versatile material, was biogenically synthesized from hemp waste for sustainability.•SiO2-NPs had an average size of 28 nm and exhibited a 360 nm absorption peak.•Elemental ...analysis showed the sample composed of 50.6% O and 27.2% Si, promising eco-friendly tech.•SiO2-NP has antibacterial effect, also suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer cells and increases the expression of apoptosis-related genes.
SiO2, commonly referred to as silica, represents a versatile material utilized across various domains including biomedical, construction, food, energy, and cosmetic sectors. This study is anticipated to offer insights into the synthesis of SiO2-NP from industrial hemp waste, thus contributing to sustainability efforts and waste management systems. Within this investigation, SiO2-NP were biogenically synthesized utilizing waste leaves from industrial hemp, a sustainable plant source. The biogenically synthesized SiO2-NP underwent characterization via several techniques including UV–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersion X-ray Spectrometer (EDX), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. The UV–Vis spectrum indicated an absorption peak of 360 nm for SiO2-NP. XRD analysis determined an average particle size of 28 nm. SEM analysis revealed spherical morphology of the synthesized SiO2-NP. Additionally, EDX analysis unveiled a composition consisting of 50.6 % O and 27.2 % Si. SiO2-NP exhibited antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria strains. According to anticancer activity analyses, IC50 doses of SiO2-NP in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were found to be 146.73 ± 7.54 and 54.93 ± 5.54, respectively, for 48 h. After treating the cells with these doses, an increase in the expression of apoptosis-related genes was detected. The SiO2-NP has an IC50 value with 2.69 ± 0.42 mg/mL against AChE enzyme activity.
Hemp (
Cannabis sativa L.) bast was used to prepare activated carbon fibers by phosphoric acid activation at 400–600
°C. The pyrolysis process, textural and chemical properties for the samples were ...investigated by means of TG/DTA, SEM, cryogenic N
2 adsorption, FTIR and XPS. Dye adsorption on the resultant sample was also measured. The textural properties of the activated carbon fibers were found to be strongly dependent on the activation temperature. Activated carbon fibers exhibited narrow pore size distributions with maxima in the micropore and small mesopore regions. BET surface area, total pore volume, micropore volume and mesopore volume increased with the increase of activation temperature up to 450
°C and then decreased with further heating, and a sample with maximum surface area of 1142
m
2
g
−1 and total pore volume of 0.67
cm
3
g
−1 was obtained. Phosphoric acid facilitated the conservation of porous structure, led to the creation of tremendous porosity, and resulted in various P-containing functional structures on the surface and in the bulk phase of the resultant samples. The adsorption of acid blue 9 on the sample could be favorably described by Langmuir isotherm, and the adsorption kinetics was found to be well fitted by the intraparticle diffusion model.
Interest is growing worldwide to grow fiber hemp for innovative biomaterials while little information is available on the yield performance and agronomy of hemp. In the present study, the ...productivity of fiber hemp in response to fertilization and planting density was assessed at three sites in the main hemp-producing areas in China with locally bred cultivars in 2016 and 2017. The sites were Daqing in the north-east, Lu’an in the central-east, and Menghai in the south-west. At each site, the treatments were a factorial combination of three fertilization rates (300, 600, and 900 kg (N + P2O5 + K2O) per hectare), two NPK ratios (N:P2O5:K2O at the ratio of 3:1:2 and 4:1:2), and two planting densities (45 and 67.5 plants m−2). The harvested stem yield ranges were 9.0–12.2 Mg ha−1 in Daqing, 9.8–16.5 Mg ha−1 in Lu’an, and 5.2–15.1 Mg ha−1 in Menghai. Increasing the fertilization rate from 300 kg ha−1 to 900 kg ha−1 had little effect on the yields of stem, leaf and bark while it caused a decrease in the stem bark content in all sites. NPK ratio had a considerable effect on hemp stem yield, higher yield was achieved at 3:1:2 than 4:1:2. The effect of planting density on hemp yields varied among sites. Between the tested densities, the yields of biomass, stem and bark were higher at 45 plant m−2 in Menghai, at 67.5 plants m−2 in Lu’an while no significant difference was detected at Daqing. These results highlight the need to optimize fertilization and planting density according to environmental conditions.
•The yields of fiber hemp was assessed in three main producing areas in China.•Fertilization rate over 300 kg ha−1 resulted in a decrease in the stem bark content.•Higher stem yield was achieved with N:P:K ratio at 3:1:2 than 4:1:2.•Stem yield was higher at 45 plants m−2 than 67.5 plants m−2 in south-western China
Among the oldest domesticated crops, cannabis plants (
L., marijuana and hemp) have been used to produce food, fiber, and drugs for thousands of years. With the ongoing legalization of cannabis in ...several jurisdictions worldwide, a new high-value market is emerging for the supply of marijuana and hemp products. This creates unprecedented challenges to achieve better yields and environmental sustainability, while lowering production costs. In this review, we discuss the opportunities and challenges pertaining to the use of beneficial
spp. bacteria as crop inoculants to improve productivity. The prevalence and diversity of naturally occurring
strains within the cannabis microbiome is overviewed, followed by their potential mechanisms involved in plant growth promotion and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Emphasis is placed on specific aspects relevant for hemp and marijuana crops in various production systems. Finally, factors likely to influence inoculant efficacy are provided, along with strategies to identify promising strains, overcome commercialization bottlenecks, and design adapted formulations. This work aims at supporting the development of the cannabis industry in a sustainable way, by exploiting the many beneficial attributes of
spp.
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•CeO2 metal nanoparticles were synthesized from the waste leaves of Cannabis sativa L.•CeO2 NPs are environmentally friendly, low cost, and less toxic.•The CeO2 NP has an IC50 value ...with 2.789 ± 0.44 mg/mL against AChE.
With the development of technology, many studies continue on nanotechnological material synthesis and the development of synthesis methods. In metal/metal oxide nanoparticle synthesis, apart from classical synthesis methods such as chemical and physical, “green synthesis” represents the latest research used in nanotechnology. In this study, CeO2 metal oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from the waste leaves of Cannabis sativa L., popularly known as cannabis, using the “green synthesis” method, characterized by various methods, and research was conducted on its antibacterial, anticancer, and enzymatic effects. According to XRD result, the average crystallite size of CeO2 NPs was calculated as 52 nm due to analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images showed that the nanoparticles had angular structures and ranged in size from 49 to 68 nm. It was informed that the nanoparticles obtained by EDX analysis had 35.66 % O and 54.56 % Ce content. The cytotoxic effect of CeO2 NP was evaluated in human breast cancer cells and human mammary epithelial cells. Accordingly, CeO2 NP had an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, and the cytotoxic effects of CeO2 NP were higher against breast cancer cells than normal epithelial cells. The CeO2 NP has an IC50 value of 2.789 ± 0.44 mg/mL against AChE. According to antibacterial analysis, the CeO2 NP adversely affects all tested microorganisms. Especially it demonstrated bactericidal activity against E. coli at 500 µg/mL.
Although NAM ‘no apical meristem’-ATAF1/2 ‘arabidopsis transcription activation factor 1/2’-CUC2 ‘cup-shaped cotyledon 2’ (NAC) transcription factors (TFs) have been recognized to play important ...roles in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, the possible functions and potential mechanism of NAC TF genes towards salt resistance in hemp (Cannabis sativa L., Cs) is poorly understood. Therefore, three novel hemp NAC genes (CsNAC1, CsNAC2, and CsNAC3) up-regulated significantly under salt stress were cloned, and their functional characterization in salt tolerance were investigated in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., Nt) for the first time. The proteins CsNAC1, CsNAC2, and CsNAC3 were predicted to be localized in nucleus when transiently expressed in hemp stem derived protoplasts. The proteins CsNAC1 and CsNAC2 were revealed as putative members of the ATAF subfamily sharing high similarities in tertiary structure, while the protein CsNAC3 was a homolog of the AtNAC3 subfamily in Arabidopsis Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., At. Overexpression vectors of these three genes were constructed driven by CaMV35S and successfully transferred into tobacco plants (cultivar K326). The physiological and metabolic response of CsNAC2-overexpressing transgenic tobacco to salt (NaCl) stress was quite similar to those of the wild type (WT). In contrast, in CsNAC1-and CsNAC3-overexpressing transgenic tobacco, the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the contents of chlorophyll, soluble protein and soluble sugar increased significantly, accompanied by a remarkable decrease in the malonaldehyde (MDA) content. Furthermore, all the six key stress-responsive genes were remarkably up-regulated when exposed to salt stress. The improved growth phenotype and physiological regulation ability of CsNAC1- and CsNAC3-overexpressing transgenic tobacco indicate the genes CsNAC1 and CsNAC3 may function as positive regulators in plant response to salt stress and have potential value in transgenic breeding to improve the salt tolerance in hemp.
•Three salt stress responsive genes (CsNAC1/2/3) were identified in Cannabis sativa.•Overexpressing CsNAC1/2/3 could affect expression of stress related genes.•Overexpressing CsNAC1/3 positively regulated physiology of Nicotiana tabacum.•Overexpressing CsNAC1/3 improved salt tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum significantly.
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