Hemp is becoming increasingly popular for its versatile uses: CBD-rich varieties are in high demand for pharmaceutical products, while fiber-rich varieties are invaluable for industrial applications resembling textiles. Now, a latest University of Houston study of hemp microbes, published within the journal Nature Medicine, may help scientists create a special mixture of helpful microbes to assist hemp plants produce more or higher CBD. Have quality fibers.
As a community of tiny organisms, including microbes, the plant microbiome helps plants absorb nutrients, manage stress and produce invaluable compounds.
The research, led by Abdul Latif Khan, assistant professor of biotechnology within the Culin College of Engineering Technology Division, examined the microbiome communities living within the roots (rhizosphere) and leaves (phyllosphere) of 4 varieties of cannabis plants. Khan's team also compared how these microorganisms differed between hemp grown for fiber and hemp grown for CBD production.
“In hemp, the microbiome is critical in terms of optimizing CBD production and increasing fiber quality. This work illustrates how different genotypes of hemp harbor microbial communities and how contribute to the process,” reports Khan. “We showed how different types of cannabis plants have their own specific groups of small living microbes that help the plants grow and stay healthy.”
“Understanding these microorganisms could lead to more sustainable farming practices that use nature to promote plant growth rather than relying heavily on chemicals,” said Waqar Ahmed, Khans' first creator and doctoral student. Done”.
Among the outcomes:
Microbiome diversity was significantly different amongst soil, root, leaf, stem — and likewise amongst CBD and fiber genotypes.
· Roots and soil showed high bacterial diversity.
· Leaves and stems have high fungal diversity.
Fiber-producing bacteria resembling Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas and Bacillus were abundant in hemp plants.
Microbacterium and Rhizobium were more abundant in CBD-producing hemp as were fungi resembling Penicillium and Nigrospora, but Alternaria and Gibberella fungi were related to fiber plants.
“Different genotypes have different microbiomes, which affect physiology, nutrient acquisition, stress resilience, and the production of secondary metabolites such as CBD. Our findings may suggest that these endophytic microorganisms may influence CBD production and play an important role in influencing the high-quality fiber in hemp.” Khan said.
The team included Venkatesh Balan, UH associate professor of biotechnology within the Cullen College of Engineering Technology division. Aruna Weerasuriya, professor of medicinal plants at Prairie View A&M University; and Ram Ray, professor of agriculture at Prairie View A&M University.