The University of Houston researchers conducted a study of hemp microbes that highlighted how applying beneficial solutions of microbes can enhance hemp production. The study published in the journal Nature explained how this mixture of microbes increases CBD content and improves the fiber quality of hemp plants. The hemp plant microbiome promotes the absorption of nutrients, handles stress, and produces valuable compounds.
The study focused on the communities of microbiomes on the leaves and living in and around the roots of four different types of hemp plants. The research team also explored differences in microorganisms associated with hemp grown for fiber and CBD production. Study author Dr. Abdul Latif Khan explained the role of the microbiome in hemp production: “In hemp, the microbiome is important in optimizing the production of CBD and enhancing the quality of fiber. This work explains how different genotypes of hemp harbor microbial communities to live inside and contribute to such processes.” The study highlighted how different types of hemp plants each have unique groups of minuscule living microbes that support plant growth and health.
The study found that microbiome diversity significantly varied in the soil, root, leaf, and stem. The soil and roots showed higher bacterial diversity, while stems and leaves had greater fungal diversity. Hemp grown for fiber had a greater prevalence of bacteria, including Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus. CBD-producing hemp had higher levels of microbacterium and Rhizobium and fungi like Penicillium and Nigrospora.
The study highlighted how different genotypes have different microbiomes influencing nutrient uptake, stress resilience, physiology, and cannabinoid production. Further research on microorganisms found in hemp can inform more sustainable cultivation techniques that are less reliant on chemical application to boost plant growth.
Sources: Eureka News Alert, Nature, University of Houston