The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Terpene and Cannabinoid Levels in Industrial Hemp

Jonathan Morgan*, Bill Wheeler, Matt T. Kasson, and Michael Gutensohn

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (Poster Presentation #60)

Student’s Major: Horticulture

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a type of symbiotic fungi that penetrate the cortical cells of plant roots and form specialized nutrient exchange structures called arbuscules that help capture phosphorus, nitrogen, and micronutrients. In this project, we will study the potential interaction of different AMF species with a few selected hemp varieties to determine the impact of AMF on the terpene and cannabinoid levels. Based on a general understanding of how AMF can modulate plant metabolism coupled with preliminary studies, we hypothesize that AMF will interact with hemp and have a considerable effect on the terpene and cannabinoid metabolism of the examined hemp varieties. This project has two main objectives: (1) test the interaction of up to 10 different AMF species with one industrial hemp variety, and (2) compare the interaction of one selected AMF species with different types of industrial hemp including fiber, grain, CBD, and CBG varieties. To do this, hemp plants will be inoculated with spores of AMF species at the seedling stage and subsequently cultivate until they flower. Fungal growth in roots will be studied by spore counts and root staining to quantify colonization. For the analysis of terpenes and cannabinoids, hemp flowers and leaves will be extracted with methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE) and extracts subsequently analyzed by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). These analyses will help determine what effect AMF species has on the accumulation of terpenes and cannabinoids in different hemp varieties.

Funding: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course