Optimization of the vegetative micropropagation of Cannabis sativa from axillary buds

GONZALEZ, M.; LA BELLA, G.; MOLINA, G.; BLANZACO, T.; BORDON, J. I.; ARANO, T.; SVETAZ, L.; CABEZUDO, I.; BUTASSI, E.; DI LIBERTO, M.; HOURCADE, M.; SANNAZZARO, A.; CLEMENTE, M.

Mendoza

Congreso; Congreso SAIB; 2022

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the oldest plant sources of oils, resins, and textilefibers. Moreover, this plant is a natural reservoir of countless compounds with variousmedicinal properties. Currently, more than 150 phytocannabinoids have beencharacterized. The two major pharmacologically active components are delta-9-tetrahidrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In Argentina, the law 27669 onMedicinal Cannabis and Industrial Hemp was recently approved, which provides aregulatory framework for public and private investment in the entire cannabis productionchain. Some estimations suggest that cannabis could become another export commodity,just like grains or beef. Therefore, it is essential to advance in the improvement ofpropagation techniques that (will) allow maximizing cannabis production and guaranteethe generation of new plants faster and more efficiently, keeping the desired genetics. Inthis regard, micropropagation makes possible to obtain many genetically identical andhealthy plants in a short period of time. Furthermore, this technique is a necessarycomplement for the conservation of germplasm in vitro or in the form of cryopreservedsynthetic seeds. However, there are found several and persistent bottlenecks to achieve afast, reliable, and efficient production system in the regeneration and growth stages ofplants cultivated in vitro. In the present work, the conditions for the micropropagation ofdifferent C. sativa specimens of chemotypes II (THC~CBD) and III (THC