Industrial Hemp As a Multi-Purpose Crop: Last Achievements and Research in 2018−2023

Abstract

Industrial hemp cultivation was restricted years ago in most countries, thus wiping out centuries of science and genetic resources. It is only since the 1990s that hemp has been experiencing its renaissance, which is nowadays driven by new cultivation strategies. The objective of review was to compile and summarize the latest hemp research and achievements. The focus was on research from 2018 to 2023. VOSviewer software was used to define the main research areas and trends. Most articles were discussed, among others determination average yield loss due to water stress (8.7 Mg ha−1) and due to low temperatures (0.4 Mg ha−1); yield increase up to 25% achieving by rejecting the smallest seeds; or definition the optimum dose of sewage sludge application (25 Mg ha−1). Regarding composition and properties: identification caflanone flavonoid (selective activity against certain neoplasms); determination of 71 compounds (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and CBs) in the EO; determination antioxidant capacity of EO (63 mg TE g−1 and 438 mg TE g−1); or comparison the content of EO from monoicous, female and male inflorescences (0.10%, 0.15% and 0.07% respectively). The current possibilities of using, e.g. for phytoremediation or for bioenergy, were presented. Also knowledge gaps and the areas for future research were identified.

Keywords

• Industrial hemp
• management
• inflorescences
• essential oil
• fiber
• phytoremediation