Enhancement of secondary metabolite production in field grown industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) by methyl jasmonate elicitation

In this study, cannabinoids, total phenolic content, terpenes, and antioxidant activity were characterized in C. sativa inflorescences from early and late developmental stages following treatment with 1 mM and 10 mM MeJA (MJ1 and MJ10, respectively) or with 1 mM MeJA encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CHTMJ1). The primary objectives were to develop agronomic strategies for modifying the contents of target secondary metabolites and yield-related properties (e.g., antioxidant activity) in female inflorescences of industrial hemp and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflorescence response to different treatments at various developmental stages.