Yield and cannabinoids contents in different cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) genotypes for medical use

In the last decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of lifestyle and auto-immune diseases, such as various cancers or multiple sclerosis. In countries where cannabis is decriminalized for medical purposes, it is most often prescribed for these diagnoses. Today, over 700 different cannabis genotypes are being bred, and it is very important to describe in detail their cultivation, potential yields, chemical profile and stability, to be recommended to a particular patient with a specific diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflorescence yields and the content of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) of seven traditional genotypes of cannabis - Conspiracy Kush, Nurse Jackie, Jilly Bean, Nordle, Jack Cleaner 2, Jack Skellington and National Health Services. The plants were grown under controlled climatic conditions during six growing cycles at a density of 9 plants/m2. Dried inflorescences from each plant were homogenized and analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The average yield per plant was 21.02 ± 3.33 g and the highest yields showed genotype Nurse Jackie (24.74 ± 6.11 g). The lowest yields were shown by genotype Jack Skellington (15.41 ± 4.02 g). Average Δ9-THC levels for each variety in all 6 growing cycles ranged from 15.69 ± 2.6 % to 19.31 ± 2.47 % (w/w). The lowest contents of Δ9-THC were measured in the Nordle genotype and the highest values were found in the Jack Cleaner 2 and Jack Skellington genotypes. Average CBD levels in the plants ranged from 0.45 ± 0.1 % to 0.57 ± 0.08 % (w/w) over six individual cycles. This study shows that among genotypes studied, the best parameters - high yield and stable cannabinoids production - are shown by genotypes Nurse Jackie and Jilly Bean.