Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Photosynthetic response of Cannabis sativa L. to variations in photosynthetic photon flux densities, temperature and CO2 conditions

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Effect of different photosynthetic photon flux densities (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 μmol m−2s−1), temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and CO2 concentrations (250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 μmol mol−1) on gas and water vapour exchange characteristics of Cannabis sativa L. were studied to determine the suitable and efficient environmental conditions for its indoor mass cultivation for pharmaceutical uses. The rate of photosynthesis (PN) and water use efficiency (WUE) of Cannabis sativa increased with photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) at the lower temperatures (20–25 °C). At 30 °C, PN and WUE increased only up to 1500 μmol m−2s−1 PPFD and decreased at higher light levels. The maximum rate of photosynthesis (PN max) was observed at 30 °C and under 1500 μmol m−2s−1 PPFD. The rate of transpiration (E) responded positively to increased PPFD and temperature up to the highest levels tested (2000 μmol m−2s−1 and 40 °C). Similar to E, leaf stomatal conductance (gs) also increased with PPFD irrespective of temperature. However, gs increased with temperature up to 30 °C only. Temperature above 30 °C had an adverse effect on gs in this species. Overall, high temperature and high PPFD showed an adverse effect on PN and WUE. A continuous decrease in intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and therefore, in the ratio of intercellular CO2 to ambient CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca) was observed with the increase in temperature and PPFD. However, the decrease was less pronounced at light intensities above 1500 μmol m−2s−1. In view of these results, temperature and light optima for photosynthesis was concluded to be at 25–30 °C and ∼1500 μmol m−2s−1 respectively. Furthermore, plants were also exposed to different concentrations of CO2 (250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 μmol mol−1) under optimum PPFD and temperature conditions to assess their photosynthetic response. Rate of photosynthesis, WUE and Ci decreased by 50 %, 53 % and 10 % respectively, and Ci/Ca, E and gs increased by 25 %, 7 % and 3 % respectively when measurements were made at 250 μmol mol-1 as compared to ambient CO2 (350 μmol mol−1) level. Elevated CO2 concentration (750 μmol mol−1) suppressed E and gs ∼ 29% and 42% respectively, and stimulated PN, WUE and Ci by 50 %, 111 % and 115 % respectively as compared to ambient CO2 concentration. The study reveals that this species can be efficiently cultivated in the range of 25 to 30 °C and ∼1500 μmol m−2s−1 PPFD. Furthermore, higher PN, WUE and nearly constant Ci/Ca ratio under elevated CO2 concentrations in C. sativa, reflects its potential for better survival, growth and productivity in drier and CO2 rich environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

PPFD:

Photosynthetic photon flux density

PN :

Photosynthesis

Rd:

Dark respiration

PN max :

Maximum rate of photosynthesis

E:

Transpiration

gs :

Leaf stomatal conductance

Ci:

Leaf internal CO2 concentration

Ci/Ca:

Internal to ambient CO2 concentration

WUE:

Water use efficiency

References

  • Aguirre-von Wobeser E, Figueroa FL and Calello-Pasini A (2000). Effect of UV-B radiation in photoinhibition of marine macrophytes in culture systems. J. Appl. Phycol., 12: 159–168.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander JD, Donnelly JR and Shane JB (1995). Photosynthetic and transpirational response of red spruce an understory tree to light and temperature. Tree Physiol., 15: 393–398.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ayuko U, Tadahiko M and Amane M (2008). Effects of temperature on photosynthesis and plant growth in the assimilation shoots of a rose. Soil Sci. Plant Nutrition, 54: 253–258.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bazzaz FA and Garbutt K (1988). The response of annuals in competitive neighborhoods: Effect of elevated CO2. Ecology, 69: 937–946.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry J and Bijorkman O (1980). Photosynthetic response and adaptation to temperature in higher plants. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol., 31: 491–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry JA and Downtown WJS (1982). Environmental regulation of photosynthesis. In: Development carbon metabolism and plant productivity, vol. II (ed. Govindgee ), Academic press, New York, pp. 263–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowes G (1993). Facing the inevitable: Plant and increasing atmospheric CO2. Annu. Rev. Plant Pysiol. Plant Mol. Biol., 44: 309–332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brenneisen R, Egli A, ElSohly MA, Henn V and Spiess Y (1996). The effect of orally and rectally administered D9-tetrahydrocannabinol on spasticity. A pilot study with two pettients. Internat. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Therap., 34: 446.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cure JD (1985). Carbon dioxide doubling response: A crop survey. In: Direct effect of CO2 on vegetation (Eds. Strain BR and Cure JD), US Department of Energy Washington, pp: 99–116.

  • Cure JD and Acock B (1986). Crop response to carbon dioxide doubling: A literature survey. Agric. For. Meteorol., 38: 127–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dieleman JA and Meinen E (2008). Interacting effects of temperature integration and light intensity on growth and development of single-stemmed cut rose plants. Scientia Hort., 113: 182–187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle E and Spence AA (1995). Cannabis as a medicine? Brit. J. Anaesth., 74: 359–361.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drake BG, Gonzalez-Meler MA and Long SP (1997). More efficient plants: A consequence of rising CO2? Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol., 48: 609–639.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eamus D, Berryman DA and Duff GA (1993). Assimilation, stomatal conductance, specific leaf area and chlorophyll responses to elevated CO2 of Maranthes corymbosa, a tropical monsoon rain forest species. Aust. J. Plant Physiol., 20: 741–755.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Formukong EA, Evans AT and Evans F (1989). The medicinal uses of Cannabis and its constitutents. J. Phytother. Res., 3: 219–231.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grinspoon L and Bakalar JB (1993). Marihuana, the forbidden medicine. Yale University Press, New Haven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond CT and Mahlberg PG (1977). Morphogenesis of capitate glandular hairs of Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae). Amer. J. Bot., 64: 1023–1031.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Idso KE and Idso SB (1994). Plant responses to atmospheric CO2 in the face environmental constituents: A review of past ten years’ research. Agric. Forest Meteorol., 69: 153–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones HG (1992). Plants and microclimate: Quantitative approach to environmental plant physiology. IInd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi SC and Palni LMS (1998). Clonal variation in temperature response of photosynthesis in tea. Plant Sci., 13: 225–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi SC and Palni LMS (2005). Greater sensitivity of Hordeum himalayens Schult. to increasing temperature causes reduction in its cultivated area. Curr. Sci., 89: 879–882.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kimball BA (1983a). Carbon dioxide and agricultural yield: An assemblage and analysis of 430 prior observations. Agron. J., 75: 779–788.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimball BA (1983b). Carbon dioxide and agricultural yield: An assemblage and analysis of 770 prior observations. Water conservation lab report 14, US water conservation lab. USDA-ARS, Phoenix, AZ, pp. 71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimball BA (1986). Influence of elevated CO2 on crop yield. In: Carbon dioxide enrichment of greenhouse crops. Vol. 2: Physiology yield and economics (eds Enoch HZ and Kimball BA), CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, FL., pp. 105–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruse J, Hopmans P and Adams MA (2008) Temperature responses are a window to the physiology of dark respiration: differences between CO2 release and O2 reduction shed light on energy conservation. Plant Cell Environ., 31: 901–914

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long SP, Ainworth EA, Rogers A and Ort DR (2004). Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide: Plant face the future. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol., 55: 591–6287.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattes RD, Shaw LM, Eding-Owens J, Egelman K and ElSohly MA (1993). Bypassing the first pass effect for therapeutic use of cannabinoids. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 44: 745–747.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattes RD, Egelman K, Shaw LM and ElSohly MA (1994). Cannabinoids appetite stimulation. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 49:187.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mechoulam R (1986). Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents. CRPS Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mechoulam R and Ben-Shabat A (1999). From gan-zi-gun-nu to anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol: the ongoing story of Cannabis. Nat. Prod. Rep., 16: 131–143.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monclus R, Dreyer E, Villar M, Delmotte FM, Delay D, Petit JM, Barbaroux C, Thiec DL, Brechet C and Brignolas F (2006). Impact of drought and productivity and water use efficiency in 29 genotypes of Populus deltoids x Populus nigra. New Phytol., 169: 765–777.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morison JIL (1993). Response of plants to CO2 under water limited conditions. Check Vegetatio., 104/105: 193–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osmod CB (1994). What is photoinhibition? Some insights from comparisons of shade and sun plant. In: Photoinhibition of photosynthesis, from molecular mechanisms to the field. (Eds. Baker NR and Bowyner NR), BIOS Sci. Publ., Oxford. pp. 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearcy RW (1977). Acclimation of photosynthetic and respiratory carbon dioxide exchange to growth temperature in Atriplex tentiformus (Torr.) Wats. Plant Physiol., 59: 795–799.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poorter H (1993). Inter-specific variation in the growth response of plant to an elevated CO2 concentration. In: CO2 and Bispherre (Eds. Rozema J, Lambers H, Van de Geijn SC and Cambridge ML), Kluwer Acaemic Publication, Boston, MA., pp: 77–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prentice IC, Farquhar GD, Fasham MJR, Goulden M, Heinmann M, Jaramillo VJ, Kheshgi HS, Le Querere C, Scholes RJ and Wallace DWR (2001). The carbon cycle and atmospheric carbon dioxide. In: Climatic change 2001: The scientific basis. Contribution of working group 1 to the third assessment report of the intergovernmental panel of climatic change (Eds. Houghton JT, Ding Y, Griggs DJ, Noguer M, ver der Linden PJ and Xiaosu D), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 183–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawson HM, Begg JR and Woodward RG (1977). The effect of atmospheric humidity on photosynthesis, transpiration and water use efficiency of leaves of several plant species. Planta, 134: 5–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze ED, Lange OL, Buschbom U, Kappen L and Evenari M (1972). Stomatal response to change in humidity in plants grown in the desert. Planta, 108: 250–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheshshayee MS, Krishna Prasad BT, Natraj KN, Sankar AG, Prasad and Udayakumar M (1996). Ratio of intercellular CO2 concentration of mesophyll efficiency. Curr. Sci., 70: 672–675.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh A and Purohit AN (1997). Light and temperature effects on physiological reactions on alpine and temperate populations of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. J. Herbs Spices Med. Plants, 5: 57–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirikantaramas S, Taura F, Tanaka Y, Ishikawa Y, Morimoto S and Shoyama Y (2005). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase, the enzyme controlling marijuana psychoactivity is secreted into the storage cavity of the glandular trichomes. Plant Cell Physiol., 46: 1578–1582.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stoutjesdijk P and Barkman JJ (1992). Microclimate, Vegetation and Fauna., Opulus Press Pub., Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas RB, Lewis JD and Strain BR (1994). Effect of leaf nutrient status on photosynthetic capacity in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedling grown in elevated CO2. Tree physiol., 14: 947–960.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thornton MK, Malik NJ and Dwelle RB (1995). Relationship between gas exchange characteristics and productivity of potato clones grown at different temperatures. Check A. Potato J., 73: 63–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao X, Liu Q and Han C (2008). Growth and photosynthetic responses of Picea asperata seedlings to enhanced ultraviolet-B and to nitrogen supply. Brazilian J. Plant Physiol., 20: 11–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zelitch I (1975). Improving the efficiency of photosynthesis. Science, 188: 626–633.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zuardi AW (2006). History of Cannabis as a medicine: a review. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr., 28: 153–157

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Natural Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS-38677, USA

    Suman Chandra, Hemant Lata, Ikhlas A. Khan & Mahmoud A. Elsohly

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, MS-38677, Oxford, USA

    Ikhlas A. Khan

  3. Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Oxford, MS, 38677, USA

    Mahmoud A. Elsohly

Authors
  1. Suman Chandra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hemant Lata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ikhlas A. Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mahmoud A. Elsohly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suman Chandra.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chandra, S., Lata, H., Khan, I.A. et al. Photosynthetic response of Cannabis sativa L. to variations in photosynthetic photon flux densities, temperature and CO2 conditions. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 14, 299–306 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-008-0027-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-008-0027-x

Key words

Search

Navigation