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poglavlje 4 nastavak

Factors Influencing THC Production
Many factors influence the production of THC. In
general, the older a plant, the greater its potential to pro-
duce THC. This is true, however, only if the plant remains
healthy and vigorous, THC production requires the proper
quantity and quality of light. It seems that none of the bio-
synthetic processes operate efficiently when low light con-
ditions prevent proper photosynthesis. Research has shown
(Valle et al. 1978) that twice as much THC is produced
under a 12-hour photoperiod than under a 10-hour photo-
period. Warm temperatures are known to promote meta-
bolic activity and the production of THC. Heat also pro-
motes resin secretion, possibly in response to the threat of
floral desiccation by the hot sun, Resin collects in the
heads of glandular trichomes and does not directly seal the
pores of the calyx to prevent desiccation. Resin heads may
serve to break up the rays of the sun so that fewer of them
strike the leaf surface and raise the temperature. However,
light and heat also destroy THC. In a drug strain, a bio-
synthetic rate must be maintained such that substantially
more THC is produced than is broken down. Humidity is
an interesting parameter of THC production and one of the
least understood. Most high-quality drug Cannabis grows
in areas that are dry much of the time at least during the
maturation period. It follows that increased resin produc.
tion in response to arid conditions might account for in-
creased THC production. High-THC strains, however, also
grow in very humid conditions (greenhouses and equatorial
zones) and produce copious quantities of resin. Cannabis
seems not to produce more resins in response to dry soil,
as it does to a dry atmosphere. Drying out plants by with-
holding water for the last weeks of flowering does not
stimulate THC production, although an arid atmosphere
may do so. A Cannabis plant in flower requires water, so
that nutrients are available. for operating the various bio-
synthetic pathways.
There is really no confirmed method of forcing in-
creased THC production. Many techniques have developed
through misinterpretations of ancient tradition. In Colom-
bia, farmers girdle the stalk of the main stem, which cuts
off the flow of water and nutrients between the roots and
the shoots. This technique may not raise the final THC
level, but it does cause rapid maturation and yellow gold
coloration in the floral cluster (Partridge 1973). Impaling
with nails, pine splinters, balls of opium, and stones are
clandestine folk methods of promoting flowering, taste and
THC production. However none of these have any valid
documentation from the original culture or scientific basis.
Symbiotic relationships between herbs in companion plant-
ings are known to influence the production of essential
oils. Experiments might be carried out with different herbs,
such as stinging nettles, as companion plants for Cannabis,
in an effort to stimulate resin production. In the future,
agricultural techniques may be discovered which specific-
ally promote THC biosynthesis.
In general, it is considered most important that the
plant be healthy for it to produce high THC levels. The
genotype of the plant, a result of seed selection, is the
primary factor which determines the THC levels. After
that, the provision of adequate organic nutrients, water,
sunlight, fresh air, growing space, and time for maturation
seems to be the key to producing high-THC Cannabis in all
circumstances. Stress resulting from inadequacies in the
environment limits the true expression of phenotype and
cannabinoid potential. Cannabis finds a normal adaptive
defense in the production of THC laden resins, and it seems
logical that a healthy plant is best able to raise this defense.
Forcing plants to produce is a perverse ideal and alien to
the principles of organic agriculture. Plants are not ma-
chines that can be worked faster and harder to produce
more. The life processes of the plant rely on delicate
natural balances aimed at the ultimate survival of the plant
until it reproduces. The most a Cannabis cultivator or re-
searcher can expect to do is provide all the requisites for
healthy growth and guide the plant until it matures.
Flowering in Cannabis may be forced or accelerated
by many different techniques. This does not mean that
THC production is forced, only that the time before and
during flowering is shortened and flowers are produced
rapidly. Most techniques involve the deprivation of light
during the long days of summer to promote early floral
induction and sexual differentiation. This is sometimes
done by moving the plants inside a completely dark struc-
ture for 12 hours of each 24-hour day until the floral clus-
ters are mature. This stimulates an autumn light cycle and
promotes flowering at any time of the year. In the field,
covers may be made to block out the sun for a few hours
at sunrise or sunset, and these are used to cover small
plants. Photoperiod alteration is most easily accomplished
in a greenhouse, where blackout curtains are easily rolled
over the plants. Drug Cannabis production requires 11-12
hours of continuous darkness to induce flowering and at
least 10 hours of light for adequate THC production (Valle
et al. 1978). In a greenhouse, supplemental lighting need
be used only to extend daylength, while the sun supplies
the energy needed for growth and THC biosynthesis. It is
not known why at least 10 hours (and preferably 12 or 13
hours) of light are needed for high THC production. This
is not dependent on accumulated solar energy since light
responses can be activated and THC production increased
with only a 40-watt bulb. A reasonable theory is that a
light-sensitive pigment in the plant (possibly phytochrome)
acts as a switch, causing the plant to follow the flowering
cycle. THC production is probably associated with the
induction of flowering resulting from the photoperiod
change.
Cool night temperatures seem to promote flowering
in plants that have previously differentiated sexually. Ex-
tended cold periods, however, cause metabolic processes to
slow and maturation to cease. Most temperate Cannabis
strains are sensitive to many of the signs of an approaching
fall season and respond by beginning to flower. In con-
trast, strains from tropical areas, such as Thailand, often
seem unresponsive to any signs of fall and never speed up
development.