Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development

<i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. is a versatile plant with significant medicinal, industrial, and recreational applications. Its therapeutic potential is attributed to cannabinoids like THC and CBD, whose production is influenced by environmental factors, such as radiation, temperature, and hum...

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Main Authors: Andreia Saragoça, Ana Cláudia Silva, Carla M. R. Varanda, Patrick Materatski, Alfonso Ortega, Ana Isabel Cordeiro, José Telo da Gama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1635
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author Andreia Saragoça
Ana Cláudia Silva
Carla M. R. Varanda
Patrick Materatski
Alfonso Ortega
Ana Isabel Cordeiro
José Telo da Gama
author_facet Andreia Saragoça
Ana Cláudia Silva
Carla M. R. Varanda
Patrick Materatski
Alfonso Ortega
Ana Isabel Cordeiro
José Telo da Gama
author_sort Andreia Saragoça
collection DOAJ
description <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. is a versatile plant with significant medicinal, industrial, and recreational applications. Its therapeutic potential is attributed to cannabinoids like THC and CBD, whose production is influenced by environmental factors, such as radiation, temperature, and humidity. Radiation, for instance, is essential for photosynthetic processes, acting as both a primary energy source and a regulator of plant growth and development. This review covers key factors affecting <i>C. sativa</i> cultivation, including photoperiod, light spectrum, cultivation methods, environmental controls, and plant growth regulators. It highlights how these elements influence flowering, biomass, and cannabinoid production across different growing systems, offering insights for optimizing both medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. Studies indicate that photoperiod sensitivity varies among cultivars, with some achieving optimal flowering and cannabinoid production under extended light periods rather than the traditional 12/12 h cycle. Light spectrum adjustments, especially red, far-red, and blue wavelengths, significantly impact photosynthesis, plant morphology, and secondary metabolite accumulation. Advances in LED technology allow precise spectral control, enhancing energy efficiency and cannabinoid profiles compared to conventional lighting. The photoperiod plays a vital role in the cultivation of <i>C. sativa</i> spp., directly impacting the plant’s developmental cycle, biomass production, and the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. The response to photoperiod varies among different cannabis cultivars, as demonstrated in studies comparing cultivars of diverse genetic origins. On the other hand, indoor or in vitro cultivation may serve as an excellent alternative for plant breeding programs in <i>C. sativa</i>, given the substantial inter-cultivar variability that hinders the fixation of desirable traits.
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spelling doaj-art-c87ff006ea704111ad0768a5a62c96162025-08-20T03:36:30ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-07-011515163510.3390/agriculture15151635Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its DevelopmentAndreia Saragoça0Ana Cláudia Silva1Carla M. R. Varanda2Patrick Materatski3Alfonso Ortega4Ana Isabel Cordeiro5José Telo da Gama6Biosciences School of Elvas, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7350-092 Elvas, PortugalCompañía Extremeña de Investigación y Producción Agroalimentaria S.A., Ctra. Villafranco-Balboa 1.3, 06195 Badajoz, SpainUniversidade de Évora, MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Largo dos Colegiais 2, 7004-516 Évora, PortugalUniversidade de Évora, MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Largo dos Colegiais 2, 7004-516 Évora, PortugalResearch Group FBCMP, UEx, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06008 Badajoz Extremadura, SpainBiosciences School of Elvas, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7350-092 Elvas, PortugalBiosciences School of Elvas, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7350-092 Elvas, Portugal<i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. is a versatile plant with significant medicinal, industrial, and recreational applications. Its therapeutic potential is attributed to cannabinoids like THC and CBD, whose production is influenced by environmental factors, such as radiation, temperature, and humidity. Radiation, for instance, is essential for photosynthetic processes, acting as both a primary energy source and a regulator of plant growth and development. This review covers key factors affecting <i>C. sativa</i> cultivation, including photoperiod, light spectrum, cultivation methods, environmental controls, and plant growth regulators. It highlights how these elements influence flowering, biomass, and cannabinoid production across different growing systems, offering insights for optimizing both medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. Studies indicate that photoperiod sensitivity varies among cultivars, with some achieving optimal flowering and cannabinoid production under extended light periods rather than the traditional 12/12 h cycle. Light spectrum adjustments, especially red, far-red, and blue wavelengths, significantly impact photosynthesis, plant morphology, and secondary metabolite accumulation. Advances in LED technology allow precise spectral control, enhancing energy efficiency and cannabinoid profiles compared to conventional lighting. The photoperiod plays a vital role in the cultivation of <i>C. sativa</i> spp., directly impacting the plant’s developmental cycle, biomass production, and the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. The response to photoperiod varies among different cannabis cultivars, as demonstrated in studies comparing cultivars of diverse genetic origins. On the other hand, indoor or in vitro cultivation may serve as an excellent alternative for plant breeding programs in <i>C. sativa</i>, given the substantial inter-cultivar variability that hinders the fixation of desirable traits.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1635canabinoide synthesiscannabis floweringindoor cultivationlight spectrumplant developmentplant hormones
spellingShingle Andreia Saragoça
Ana Cláudia Silva
Carla M. R. Varanda
Patrick Materatski
Alfonso Ortega
Ana Isabel Cordeiro
José Telo da Gama
Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development
Agriculture
canabinoide synthesis
cannabis flowering
indoor cultivation
light spectrum
plant development
plant hormones
title Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development
title_full Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development
title_fullStr Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development
title_full_unstemmed Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development
title_short Current Context of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Cultivation and Parameters Influencing Its Development
title_sort current context of i cannabis sativa i cultivation and parameters influencing its development
topic canabinoide synthesis
cannabis flowering
indoor cultivation
light spectrum
plant development
plant hormones
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1635
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