ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1377: XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Innovative Technologies and Production Strategies for Sustainable Controlled Environment Horticulture
Salinity effects on yield and nutrient uptake in Cannabis sativa L. |
| Authors: | R. Baas, D. Wijnen |
| Keywords: | closed-loop systems, recycling water, hydroponics, greenhouse, nutrient solution, soilless culture, water quality, salinity, NaCl, rockwool, medicinal cannabis |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1377.97 |
| Abstract:
In order to study the salinity response of Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa), nutrient solutions for hydroponic cultivation with electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 1.8, 3, 6, 9 or 12 mS cm-1 were applied in rockwool. EC was increased either by increasing the nutrient concentrations N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S or by the addition of NaCl to a nutrient solution EC of 1.8 mS cm-1. Shoot and bud weight of the C. sativa ‘Early Haze’ decreased linearly with the increase of EC when nutrient-increased ECs were higher than 3 mS cm-1, and when the NaCl-increased ECs were higher than 1.8 mS cm-1. The concentrations of Total THC and CBD were not affected by EC or nutrient composition. Highest cannabinoid yields were obtained at 1.8 and 3 mS cm-1 at NaCl concentrations ≤13 mM. Leaf necrosis occurred only in the 9 and 12 mS cm-1 NaCl treatments. Despite high Na supply, leaf Na concentrations did not exceed 30 mmol kg-1 DM. In contrast, remarkably high Ca (>2200 mmol kg-1 DM) concentrations were found in all treatments. Besides, low P-concentrations (<50 mmol kg-1 DM) in particularly the low EC-treatments were found and could be related to pH levels >7.5 in the rootzone. The results are discussed with respect to the possibilities for the cultivation of C. sativa in closed nutrient systems. | |
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