Inflorescence Yield, Essential Oil Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Cannabis sativa L. cv ‘Futura 75’ in a Multilocation and On-Farm Study

Roberta Ascrizzi, Guido Flamini, Alessandro Rossi, Andrea Santini, Luciana G. Angelini and Silvia Tavarini ()
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Roberta Ascrizzi: Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Guido Flamini: Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Alessandro Rossi: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Andrea Santini: Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Luciana G. Angelini: Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceutical and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Silvia Tavarini: Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceutical and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56126 Pisa, Italy

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.), being a multiharvest crop, can increase farm profitability and cropping system diversification, including in marginal areas. Since inflorescence essential oil (EO) represents a valuable co-product for cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of pedoclimatic conditions on the inflorescence yield. EO content, composition and antioxidant capacity of the monoecious variety ‘Futura 75’. So, on-farm trials were performed in central Italy at three sites (SL, LA and SPG), which differed in terms of soil (taxonomic classes; chemical and physical characteristics), microclimate conditions (rainfall and air temperatures) and agricultural value. The results highlighted how location specificities significantly influence crop performance. Strong differences in productive parameters were observed among the farms, with inflorescence yields ranging from 1.3 to 4.9 Mg ha −1 , mainly depending on the differences between the maximum and minimum air temperatures (ΔT) since negative correlations were found. Similarly, the concentration of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons showed a reduction when ΔT during the studied period was higher; conversely, oxygenated sesquiterpenes showed an increment due to a higher ΔT. Only phenylpropanoids were affected by rainfall, showing a positive correlation. All these findings confirm that in hemp, satisfactory productions can be reached only by matching territorial suitability. The variability in EO’s characteristics suggests, in fact, that the “uniqueness” of the EOs derives from a combination of the pedological, climatic and agronomic variables of each site.

Keywords: hemp; cultivation site; agronomic management; environmental conditions; crop performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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