scholarly journals Optimization of N, P, K for Soilless Production of Cannabis sativa in the Flowering Stage Using Response Surface Analysis

Author(s):  
Lewys Bevan ◽  
Max Jones ◽  
Youbin Zheng

Following legalization, cannabis has quickly become an important horticultural crop in Canada and increasingly so in other parts of the world. However, due to previous legal restrictions on cannabis research there are limited scientific data on the relationship between nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply (collectively: NPK) and the crop yield and quality. This study examined the response of a high delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa cultivar grown in deep-water culture with different nutrient solution treatments varying in their concentrations (mg L-1) of N (70, 120, 180, 250, 290), P (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) and K (60, 120, 200, 280, 340) according to a central composite design. Results demonstrated that inflorescence yield responded quadratically to N and P, with the optimal concentrations predicted to be 194 and 59 mg L-1, respectively. Inflorescence yield did not respond to K in the tested range. These results can provide guidance to cultivators when formulating nutrient solutions for soilless cannabis production and demonstrates the utility of surface response design for efficient multi-nutrient optimization.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewys Bevan ◽  
Max Jones ◽  
Youbin Zheng

Following legalisation, cannabis has quickly become an important horticultural crop in Canada and increasingly so in other parts of the world. However, due to previous legal restrictions on cannabis research there are limited scientific data on the relationship between nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply (collectively: NPK) and the crop yield and quality. This study examined the response of a high delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa cultivar grown in deep-water culture with different nutrient solution treatments varying in their concentrations (mg L–1) of N (70, 120, 180, 250, 290), P (20, 40, 60, 80, 100), and K (60, 120, 200, 280, 340) according to a central composite design. Results demonstrated that inflorescence yield responded quadratically to N and P, with the optimal concentrations predicted to be 194 and 59 mg L–1, respectively. Inflorescence yield did not respond to K in the tested range. These results can provide guidance to cultivators when formulating nutrient solutions for soilless cannabis production and demonstrates the utility of surface response design for efficient multi-nutrient optimisation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-342
Author(s):  
Trung Huu Nguyen ◽  
Tran Nguyen Minh An ◽  
Mahboob Alam ◽  
Duc Hoai Tran ◽  
Nghi Tran ◽  
...  

The goal of the research is to develop an experimental mathematical model of pan coating process effect on the biodegradable polymer and to determine optimal process parameters. The polymer solution was conducted with phosphated di-starch phosphate, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyacrylic acid and performed as material coating for the controlled-release urea fertilizer. The image analysis method has been used to determine the particle size distribution, Sauter mean diameter of the particle and layer thickness that is novel. The central composite rotatable design has been selected to determine the regression models of the process, which described the relationship between two objective variables as layer thickness, release time with angle of pan, spray flow, and coating time. The statistical analysis results indicate the fitness of model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2157
Author(s):  
Ioanna Kakabouki ◽  
Angeliki Kousta ◽  
Antigolena Folina ◽  
Stella Karydogianni ◽  
Charikleia Zisi ◽  
...  

Field experiments were conducted during 2019 in two different locations in Greece (Athens and Farsala) to evaluate the effect of urea and urea fertilization with inhibitors on the agronomic yield and quality characteristics of two cannabis varieties (Cannabis sativa L.), “Uso31”and “Fedora 17”. The experimental design was split-plot with four different fertilization treatments—control, Urea (U), urea with Urease Inhibitor (UI), and urea with Nitrification Inhibitor (NI) and urease inhibitor (UI). The significance of differences between treatments was estimated by using Tukey’s test with a significance level of p = 0.05. The plant height was significantly affected by the different fertilizations and different varieties as well as by the two locations. The maximum plant height was 197 cm for “Fedora 17”in Farsala. The seed yield was higher forthe urea with inhibitors treatment in both varieties. The Cannabidiol (CBD) content was significantly affected by the fertilization—it was higher in urea with inhibitors in “Uso31”and “Fedora 17” treatments. The lowest CBD content value was 1.29% (control) and the highest was 1.69% (urea NI + UI). In conclusion, in both varieties, it seems that urea with inhibitors has a positive effect on their growth, as well as on the increase in cannabidiol (CBD) content.


1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Hallock ◽  
A. H. Allison

Abstract The relative effectiveness of United States Gypsum granular 420 Landplaster Bulk (420-Bulk) and Texasgulf Gypsum (Tg Gypsum) were compared with finely ground anhydrite (Bagged-LP) as sources of supplemental Ca for Florigiant peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). Treatments included the above sources at rates of 605 kg/ha banded (61 cm) or 907 kg/ha broadcast (91-cm wide rows) of CaSO4 equivalent per unit area covered (double these rates of 420-Bulk and Bagged-LP also were applied in 1977). Times of application were planting, planting + ca 30 days, and early flowering stage. The experiments were located on Kenansville lfs (Arenic Hapludult) in 1977 and on Rumford lfs (Typic Hapludult) in 1978. The Ca treatments increased crop yields from 360 to 1,200 kg/ha and crop value (yield × price) from $343 to $889/ha over the check in 1977. Slightly lower yield increases were obtained in 1978 when dry conditions prevailed during fruit maturation. Kernel size grades were improved markedly by all Ca treatments in 1977. There was a definite trend both years (significant in 1978) toward higher productivity when the Ca sources were applied at the early flowering stage compared to earlier applications. No difference was noted between methods of application of Bagged-LP or Tg Gypsum in 1978. Double rates of Bagged-LP or 420-Bulk in 1977 did not increase productivity over the low rates. A single application of Bagged-LP was as effective as split applications in the 1978 test. Germinability of seed in 1977 averaged 85% or higher for all Ca treatments. Seed germination in 1978 averaged 75%, 69% and 74% in plots where Tg Gypsum, 420-Bulk or Bagged-LP was applied, respectively. Germination was lowest in the check plots both years. Germinability and seed-Ca contents were significantly higher in 1978 when the Ca sources were applied at the early flowering stage (ca July 1) than 15 days earlier. Seed-Ca contents both years and K contents in 1978 were significantly correlated with germinability. The correlation coefficients were only 0.4 in each case and the relationship was negative for K. In general, 420-Bulk, Tg Gypsum, or Bagged-LP were equally effective sources of supplemental Ca for peanuts. However, when fruit mature under very dry conditions 420-Bulk may be somewhat inferior to the other Ca sources especially when applied before early flowering.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2291
Author(s):  
Jialin Sun ◽  
Weinan Li ◽  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Yun Guo ◽  
Zejia Duan ◽  
...  

Bupleurum (Apiaceae) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. Although roots are the only used parts in China, other countries use the whole plant. The yield and quality of Bupleurum depend mainly on fertilizers, especially nitrogen. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between the nitrogen fertilization level and the quality and metabolomic response of different parts (flowers, main shoots, lateral shoots and roots) of Bupleurum to three nitrogen fertilization levels (control group: 0 kg·ha−1; low-nitrogen group: 55 kg·ha−1; high-nitrogen group: 110 kg·ha−1). The results showed that a high nitrogen level increases Bupleurum yield and quality parameters only in aerial parts, especially flowers, but has no significant effect on roots. The HPLC method was exploited for simultaneous quantification of three saikosaponins (A, C and D), which are the main bioactive components in the plant. It was found that the total content of saikosaponins decreased with high nitrogen fertilization in roots but significantly increased in flowers. Moreover, nitrogen fertilizer promoted the content of saikosaponin A but inhibited saikosaponins C and saikosaponins D in most parts of the plant. To study the response of primary metabolites, we adopted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC−MS) analysis; 84 metabolites were identified that were mostly up-regulated with a high nitrogen level in flowers but down-regulated in roots. Four differential metabolites—D-fructose, lactose, ether and glycerol—were recognized as key metabolites in Bupleurum under nitrogen fertilization. Meanwhile, The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment results explained that the impact of nitrogen fertilization on Bupleurum was attributed to the C-metabolism, N-metabolism, and lipids metabolism. This research put forward new insights into potential mechanisms and the relationship between the quality and yield of Bupleurum and nitrogen fertilization.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1749
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Gu ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Yihong Liu ◽  
Deqiang Zhao ◽  
...  

Potassium (K) has a significant effect on wheat yield and quality. Owing to the limitations of irrigation and production costs, soil-based applications of potassium fertilizer are not performed in wheat production on the Loess Plateau of China. In the late growth stage of wheat, potassium deficiency occurs even under sufficient nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) levels, so it is necessary to supplement potassium through foliar spraying. However, there are few studies on the effect of the foliar application of potassium fertilizer (KFA) on wheat quality. Field experiments were conducted at two experimental sites for 2 years to study the effects of different potassium fertilizer application levels and periods on wheat yield and quality. The results showed that KFA had no significant effect on the yield of the wheat variety Xinong 20 (XN20) but increased the yield of the wheat variety Xiaoyan 22 (XY22). The improvement effect of KFA on the wet gluten content and stabilization time (ST) of XN20 was better than that on these parameters of XY22, while the sedimentation value (SV) and formation time (FT) showed the opposite trend. KFA significantly reduced the albumin content of the two varieties but had no significant effect on the globulin content. Compared with that at the other two stages, the potassium application in the form of potash fertilizer spray at a concentration of 60 mmol L−1 (K2) at the flowering stage (BBCH 65) significantly increased the protein content, wet gluten content, SV and gluten protein content in XN20 grains, whereas the application at 10 days after flowering (AA10, BBCH 71) at the K2 concentration was more beneficial to prolonging the dough FT. For XY22, the application of potassium fertilizer at the K2 concentration at the flowering stage increased the wet gluten and gluten protein levels and dough development time. There were significant genotypic differences in the composition and content of HMW-GS between the two varieties. KFA significantly increased the levels of the 1, 7 + 8, and 4 + 12 subunits in XN20 and the 1 subunit in XY22, but had no significant effect on the 2 + 12 subunit in XY22. Partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) analysis showed that the processing quality indexes (SV, FT, ST) and gluten protein and HMW-GS levels were regulated by the potassium fertilizer foliar spraying stage and concentration and revealed in part that KFA affected the processing quality by affecting the HMW-GS content.


Author(s):  
David Llewellyn ◽  
Scott Golem ◽  
Elizabeth Foley ◽  
Steve Dinka ◽  
Max Jones ◽  
...  

Cannabis (Cannabis Sativa L.) is now legally produced in many regions worldwide. Cannabis flourishes under high light intensities (LI); making it an expensive commodity to grow in controlled environments, despite its exceptionally high market value. It is commonly believed that cannabis secondary metabolite levels may be enhanced both by increasing LI and by exposing crops to ultraviolet radiation (UV). However, there is sparse scientific evidence to guide cultivators. Therefore, the impact of LI and UV on yield and quality must be elucidated to enable cultivators to optimize their lighting protocols. We explored the effects of LI, ranging from 350 to 1400 μmol m-2 s-1 and supplemental UV spectra on cannabis yield and potency. There were no spectrum effects on inflorescence yield, but harvest index under UVA+UVB was reduced slightly (1.6%) vs. the control. Inflorescence yield increased linearly from 19.4 to 57.4 g/plant and harvest index increased from 0.565 to 0.627, as LI increased from 350 to 1400 μmol m-2 s-1. Although there were no UV spectrum effects on total equivalent Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (T-THC) content in leaves, the neutral form, THC, was 30% higher in UVA+UVB vs. control. While there were no LI effects on inflorescence T-THC content, the content of the acid form (THCA) increased by 20% and total terpenes content decreased by 20% as LI increased from 350 to 1400 μmol m-2 s-1. High LI can substantially increase cannabis yield and quality, but we found no commercially-relevant benefits of adding supplemental UV radiation to indoor cannabis production.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-342
Author(s):  
Anvar Sh. Gadzhikurbanov

The development of rational system of basic soil tillage results in formation of sufficiently high crop yields. A two-factor field experiment was carried out to address these issues when cultivating winter rape cultivars on light chestnut soils of the Primorsko-Caspian sub-province of the Republic of Dagestan. VEM (standard), Elvis and Meteor winter rape cultivars were studied in the experiment. The following methods of soil tillage were studied: real tillage (control), subsoil tillage. The research revealed that there was no significant difference in agrophysical indicators between the soil cultivation variants. Data on weed infestation of winter rape fields showed that the number of weeds and their weight increased significantly after subsoil tillage. At the budding stage, the number of weeds increased 2.1-fold compared to the control (real tillage), and the weight of weeds increased 1.88-fold. During flowering stage, these indicators were 2.2 times higher. The maximum yield in all variants of the experiment was formed by Elvis cultivar - 44.9 and 41.4 t/ha, respectively, which is more than VEM (standard) and Meteor cultivars by 20.4 t/ha (7.9 %) and 20.0 t/ha (8.7 %), respectively. The yield of Meteor cultivar in these variants was also high and amounted to 41.6 and 38.1 t/ha, respectively, which was higher by 11.5 and 10.4 % compared with the standard. The greatest increase in the fresh yield was provided by real tillage. On average, the yield increased by 8.7 % for varieties in comparison with subsoil cultivation. Elvis cultivar formed the best quality indicators, followed by Meteor cultivar.


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