Characterizing Morphological Properties of Select Populations of Iranian Fiber Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.)

Panahi, Shadab; Khandan-Mirkohi, Azizolah; Taylor, Gail; Salami, Seyed Alireza

doi:10.22059/ijhst.2023.349507.591

Characterizing Morphological Properties of Select Populations of Iranian Fiber Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.)

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

Shadab Panahi ¹

Azizolah Khandan-Mirkohi ¹

Gail Taylor ²

Seyed Alireza Salami ¹

¹ Department of Horticulture Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

² UC Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA95616

10.22059/ijhst.2023.349507.591

Abstract

In this study, we investigated important morphological traits of select populations of Iranian fiber hemp. The analysis of variance showed significant diversity among the populations. Four of the eight genotypes showed a large biomass suitable for the fiber industry. Kerman, Sirjan, Dezful, and Arak genotypes had the highest plant height and the largest stem diameter. These populations had late-flowering habits with a short inflorescence length. Our classification revealed that of the four high-fibrous candidates, three were classified in one group, comprising Kerman, Sirjan, and Dezful genotypes. The fourth one, Arak, was placed in the second group. Significantly positive correlations were observed between final plant height, footstalk diameter, and number of days to first-flower emergence. A strong correlation occurred between morphological traits and geographical data pertaining to the genotypes. Our findings indicated that a high elevation and a low average annual temperature are suitable for the growth of medicinal cannabis. Warmer weather made the plants taller with thicker stems and late blooming habits, which are more relevant for use in the fiber industry.

Keywords

Cannabis

Hemp diversity

Factor analysis

Hemp morphology

Medicinal genotyping