Enhancement of fiber content and cannabinoids of hemp using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytic fungi

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and endophytic fungi to promote growth and fiber yield of Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa RPF3 (Hemp) and the impact on cannabinoid concentrations. A factorial pot experiment with six replications was conducted for 90 days. Two species of AMF ( Rhizophagus aggregatus , R. prolifer ) and two species of endophytic fungi ( Lasiodiplodia theobromae , Macrophomina phaseolina ) were selected as inocula and compared with two non-mycorrhizal controls, one without synthetic fertilizer and one with synthetic NPK fertilizer. Inoculation with AMF and endophytic fungi increased mass fractions of cellulose, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber and mass fractions of cannabinoids, especially of cannabidiol, in leaves and shoots, with the strongest increase noted after inoculation with R. aggregatus and L. theobromae . Our study is the first to report the effectiveness of AMF and endophytic fungi on promoting growth, fiber content, and cannabinoid production in hemp. These results suggest the potential for hemp cultivation with AMF and endophytic fungi without the potential negative effects induced by high use of synthetic fertilizer.