Effect of Rhizophagus irregularis on Growth and Quality of Cannabis sativa Seedlings

Abstract

Rhizophagus irregularis is an arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus that can enhance plant nutrition and reduce transplant shock on seedlings. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of this fungus on the quality of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) seedlings. A greenhouse float system experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three treatments. The treatments included the application of 40, 80 and 120 fungus spores per L of nutrient solution (AMF1, AMF2 and AMF3, respectively). The evaluation was performed based on the agronomic characteristics of the seedlings (root and stem length and weight, stem diameter), N and P content, survival rate, and the Dickson’s quality index (DQI). Results indicated that root length and stem dry weight were significantly increased (by 34.14% and 21.4%, respectively) in the AMF3 treatment. The biomass of the seedlings’ roots, the fresh weight and the N content were not affected by the AMF. On the contrary, survival rate, P content and DQI were significantly increased in AMF3 (by 5%, 24.3% and 12.4% respectively). Overall, our findings suggest that the application of high doses of Rhizophagus irregularis (AMF3) on float system-produced cannabis seedlings results in a considerable increment of their quality.

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

“…Both AMF strains colonized the roots of cannabis, confirming earlier reports that the species is mycorrhizal ( Citterio et al, 2005 ; McPartland, 2018 ; Kakabouki et al, 2021a ). Rhizophagus aggregatus BM-3 g3showed higher fractional colonization that R. prolifer PC2-2 (21% versus 13%).…”

“…Higher fractional colonization of cannabis roots than in our study was reported in a study with Rhizophagus irregularis , viz. up to 30% ( Kakabouki et al, 2021a ), 42% with Funneliformis mosseae ( Citterio et al, 2005 ), or 30–50% for three different species of AMF ( Zalaghi et al, 2020 ). Our data are similar to mycorrhizal colonization of industrial hemp of 19% reported by Zielonka et al (2021) in Poland but much higher than another study from that country where only colonization of 1% was reported ( Zubek et al, 2012 ).…”

“…Due to these beneficial features, AMF are a good candidate for acquiring more nutrients and water for plants under conditions where those resources are limited, and hence likely increase plant biomass and the production of these cannabinoids (Ahmed and Hijri, 2021). Beneficial effects of AMF on performance of C. sativa were reported by Citterio et al (2005; enhanced performance in heavymetal polluted soil) and Kakabouki et al (2021a; biomass and nitrogen and phosphorus content). There is still no report on the use of AMF for cultivation to promote growth of cannabis and increase cannabinoid yield.…”

Impact of Three Different Light Spectra on the Yield, Morphology and Growth Trajectory of Three Different Cannabis sativa L. Strains

“…To ensure the needed high quality standards for medical and pharmaceutical products, it is necessary to scientifically develop and evaluate cultivation methods. Recently, there has been an increased focus on arbuscular mycorrhiza [ 7 ], cultivation substrates [ 8 , 9 ], plant density [ 10 ], phytohormones [ 11 ] and the effect of fungal pathogens [ 12 ] to further develop cultivation systems.…”

Mycorrhizal Inoculation Effect on Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) Seedlings

“…In maize, it was proven that Glomus intraradices has the ability to promote shoot and root dry weight [45]. Kakabouki et al [46] examined the effect Rhizophagus irregularis on cannabis seedlings and found significantly increased root length, stem dry weight, and improvement in survival rate and phosphorous content. In another study it is also confirmed that Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased sweet potato shoot and root fresh weights for PROC 65-3 (white-fleshed) and Tainung 57 (orange-fleshed) sweet potato varieties [47].…”