Comparative Study of Cannabis Sativa Ecotypes Found in Three Villages at Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Résumé fourni par la source

This study comparatively assesses variation in growth, development, and yield of Cannabis sativa ecotypes from three villages (V1, V2, and V3) in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study was conducted on physiologically mature plants. Six plants per village were selected, and the morphological features, namely, plant height, number of branches, nodes, flowers, plant fresh and dry weights, and flower fresh and dry weights, were determined. One thousand seeds per village were collected, and their weights and moisture levels were determined using a digital scale and a moisture meter. Seeds, leaves, and flowers from each village were fixed and prepared for the determination of anatomical traits, including sizes of the seed, micropyle, and hilum. Trichome types and density on leaves and flowers were determined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was observed that morpho-anatomical traits enable differentiation among ecotypes, influenced by the locally specific environment. Thus, revealing significant variations in vegetative traits (plant height, number of branches, plant fresh and dry weights). V1 recorded the highest vegetative traits, whilst V3 had the highest reproductive and anatomical traits (number of flowers, flower fresh and dry weights, cannabinoid content, trichome density, and seed germinability, aiding features such as the sizes of seed and micropyle). Flowers recorded a higher density of glandular type trichomes than leaves across the villages, although the highest were recorded in V2, followed by V3. In situ conservation of these naturalized cannabis populations through area zoning to ensure genetic preservation for sustainable product supply and economic growth is recommended.

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