Published on 27/01/2021
In recent years, more and more research on Cannabis sativa L. has been conducted. The industry is trying to make up for the lack of scientific research due to difficult legal compliance situations. In 2020, Cultivators supported these research efforts by performing medicinal cannabis propagation trials at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
Nowadays, research on cannabis cultivation especially focuses on the flowering stage, aiming to manipulate phytochemical production in the plants. The goal of this research was to produce high-quality young plants to increase yields and maintain consistency. Thereby assuring safe and sound products for medicines and recreational cannabis products.
Our consultants regularly point out that the importance of taking care of mothers and propagation is underestimated. Between growers, there is a big difference in the quality of propagation materials. Developing an optimised propagation plan with standardised procedures would improve this situation. Therefore, taking the cultivation of cannabis to a higher and consistent level.
Also, in research, the propagation of medicinal cannabis did not receive extensive attention. Felix Akens, an intern at Cultivators, conducted propagation trials at the research facilities of the WUR under the supervision of Filip van Noort (WUR) and Sonny Moerenhout (Cultivators). The trials aimed to determine the importance of good starting material for successful cultivation of other horticultural crops.
The trial covered two propagation methods: vegetative cuttings from mother plants and tissue culture multiplication. The final propagation plan combines both methods. Although each technique has its pros and cons, the industry predominantly uses vegetative cuttings from mother plants.
The researchers conducted the experiments from May to August 2020, exploring both propagation methods on two different varieties, White Widow and Afghani. Assessing the effect of topological manipulation on mother plants, rooting speed and cold storage of cannabis cuttings. Creating mother plants out of tissue culture with a standard set-up in terms of plant architecture results in more uniform root and shoot development.
Furthermore, developing protocols for each variety based on mother plant age and the number of active meristems per plant is essential for achieving high success rates in propagation. Cold storage of fresh cuttings at 7°C is feasible without significantly affecting rooting speed. The findings of this research offer new insights into the production of propagated material, but also raise new questions and challenges that we are addressing in ongoing research.
We continue with our research programs for cannabis cultivation. Results of other trials we will be spreading as we believe in growing together. In cooperation with our customers, our consultants, industry partners and research institutes.
If you need support with research questions we are there to help you.