Effect of Topping on Growth Development and CBD Content of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in Pot Culture

In hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation, an important management factor is apical cut (topping) as this modulates plant architecture, plant biomass allocation as well as the yield of inflorescences and cannabinoids per plant and area. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of topping treatment on agronomical and quality characteristics of two monoecious hemp varieties, ‘Fedora 17’ and ‘Felina’, A greenhouse pot experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD), with two topping treatments (untreated and topped). The results revealed that plant height of both varieties was negatively affected by topping treatment and the higher values were recorded in the untreated (137.02 and 134.56 cm for Fedora 17 and Felina, respectively). The highest values of dry weight per plant and bud dry weight per plant were noticed for topped plants. In conclusion, the findings of the present study implied that the hemp had a positive response to applied topping for all studied cultivars and the CBD content was higher in topped plants as topping stress increased cannabidiol (CBD) content

Integrating UAV Multispectral Indices (NDVI) with Yield Data for Optimizing Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivation

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), is a multipurpose crop, grown for fiber, seeds, and oil. This study aims to assess flax growth dynamics and agronomic traits using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps generated from multispectral imagery captured by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Conducted at the Agricultural University of Athens, the field experiment followed a split-plot design with four replicates, encompassing various sowing distances (30 and 40 cm, between rows) and fertilization treatments (urea fertilization, urea with inhibitors, organic fertilizer). NDVI index maps were produced at key growth stages (60, 90, 120, 150, and 179 Days After Sowing) to facilitate comprehensive growth analysis. The findings indicate that while fertilization treatments and sowing densities influenced early growth stages, no significant differences were observed post 90 DAS. NDVI values correlated with agronomic traits, particularly during the early vegetative phase, highlighting the potential of UAV-based NDVI mapping for precise flax cultivation monitoring

Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Quinoa Seed Production in Greece

Population growth has led to an increase in food production, resulting in an increase in agricultural products in terms of quantity and quality. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivation is prevalent in most areas of the world due to its high-quality grain and its potential to produce high yields under tough growing conditions. This study aimed to investigate all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by quinoa seed production in Greece and their relationship with farm-related factors, from fertilizer production to energy consumption for all cultivation techniques. The amount of all GHG emissions was estimated using Cool Farm Tool software. In order to collect data, a questionnaire including questions regarding cultivation details, soil characteristics, inputs, fuel, and water use was distributed and completed by forty quinoa producers from Central Greece. Accordingly, the estimated carbon footprint values per hectare and per kilogram of quinoa seed were 1,159.65 and 0.48 kg CO2-eq, respectively. The present research also found that the highest CO2-eq emissions per kilogram of quinoa seed were found to be associated with the production of fertilizers, with a value of 0.20 kg CO2-eq corresponding to 40.88% of the total emissions per kilogram of produced seed. Consequently, attention must be given for the mitigation of the environmental impact of quinoa seed production. It is particularly important to manage chemical fertilizers and agricultural machinery properly in order to ensure the sustainable cultivation of quinoa