The Root and Shoot Ionome of Medical Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) in Relation to Gradients of Therapeutic Secondary Metabolites

Of the many medicinal plants with therapeutic potential, Cannabis sativa is, by far, the most promising in the near future for large-scale utilization. However, the inherent chemical variability of the plant pharmaceuticals secondary-metabolites must be addressed, before cannabis can be optimally incorporated into modern medical practices. This chemical variability can only be controlled and potentially optimized if the underlying regulation mechanisms of the production of the therapeutic compounds are adequately understood. Many of the medically useful compounds produced by plants are the result of the plant response to the cultivation conditions, and imposed stress conditions including water stress, salinity and nutrition. We have recently demonstrated that altered mineral uptake by the root, and distribution in the shoot elicit changes to spatial patterns of therapeutic secondary metabolites. Although not completely clear, there is a significant body of evidence suggesting a protective role for cannabinoids to environmental stresses. Cannabinoids are implicated in a range of biotic and abiotic stresses, including nutrient and water stress. There is a lack of information about effects of environmental conditions on root and shoot development and gradients of therapeutic active compounds in medical cannabis. In the talk I will discuss our recent results demonstrating chemical and physiological gradients in the medical cannabis plant, and the potential for their regulation by root-imposed environmental conditions. Organic and inorganic fertilization strategies, salt stress, water stress and selective chemical and physical elicitors affects gradients of the therapeutic secondary metabolites in the Cannabis sativa plant, as well as the accumulation profiles of mineral nutrients.