Do Greenhouse Cover Materials Affect Cannabis Performance?

Abstract

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in the Agricultural University of Athens in order to evaluate the effect of several greenhouse cover materials on the performance and yield of hemp. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments/greenhouses (G1, G2, G3, G4/Control, and G5). Measurements included plant height, PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation), chlorophyll content, solar irradiance, soil and leaf temperature, and yield components (the number of buds, their weight, length, and compact index, CBD content, and CBD yield per plant). The results of the present study suggest that the different polyethylene cover films alter the environment within the greenhouse and thus, affect the agronomic characteristics and yield traits of hemp. G1 reported the best results as it increased soil temperature and PAR values by 11-16% and 50-110% respectively, compared to G4. Concurrently, the majority of the bud characteristics were significantly improved in G1. Even though further research should be conducted in order to define the most suitable films for greenhouse hemp production, our results indicate that the optical properties of the greenhouse cover materials affect its yield and should always be considered.