Impact of Soil Quality on Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Content of Cannabis sativa L

Cannabis sativa L., or 'hemp,' is an expanding commodity that relies heavily on its chemical constituents for its therapeutic effects and legal status. Growing conditions are critical for obtaining an anticipated chemical profile for any given hemp cultivar, a vital component of this process is soil composition. This study evaluates the effect that soil has on cannabinoid and terpenoid content by comparing the extracts of two hemp cultivars grown similarly in two fields differing in soil preparation including a cover crop no tillage field (CC) usage and a conventional tillage field (CF). Hemp inflorescence from two cultivars (Tangerine and CBG Stem Cell), were extracted using supercritical fluid extraction techniques, and extracts were analyzed by a Pennsylvania-approved medical marijuana laboratory. Significant differences in cannabinoid content were observed between field types and cultivars, notably cannabidiol (CBD) levels were1.5x higher in CF for Tangerine cultivars and 2x higher in CC fields for CBG Stem Cell, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) levels were 6.3x higher in Tangerine CC extracts and 2.2x higher in CF extracts of CBG Stem Cell, cannabigerol (CBG) levels were 3.7x higher in CBG Stem Cell extracts from CC, and Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were 6x higher for CF Tangerine Extracts. Differences in terpene composition were observed between the cultivars grown in the CF but not between those grown in CC. This is the first study to show differences in extract composition of outdoor cultivated hemp grown in different soil conditions.