Accumulation of Trigonelline in the Leaves of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Response to Water-Deficit Stress

Shamim Ahmed; Andrew J. Wood; Karla L. Gage; Jose F. Da Cunha Leme Filho; David J. Gibson

doi:10.2478/johr-2026-0016

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Accumulation of Trigonelline in the Leaves of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Response to Water-Deficit Stress

Journal of Horticultural Research

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By: Shamim Ahmed, Andrew J. Wood, Karla L. Gage, Jose F. Da Cunha Leme Filho and David J. Gibson

Open Access

|Oct 2026

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Abstract

Trigonelline (TRG) has been proposed as a molecular marker of water-deficit stress in plants. This study evaluated whether trigonelline accumulates in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaves under water-deficit conditions and whether responses differ between cultivars. Two cultivars (‘Jin Ma’ and ‘NWG 2730’) were introduced to water-deficit stress in a controlled greenhouse experiment by withholding irrigation. Trigonel-line was detected in leaves of both cultivars and increased by 451% under water-deficit stress, rising from 0.25 ± 0.08 µmol·g⁻¹ FW to 1.14 ± 0.56 µmol·g⁻¹ FW. Leaf relative water content (RWC) decreased by 58.8%. No significant differences were observed between cultivars for trigonelline concentration or relative water content. These results demonstrate that trigonelline accumulation is a robust physiological response to water-deficit stress in hemp, independent of cultivar. Trigonelline is a reliable and practical biochemical indicator for early drought stress monitoring in commercial hemp production systems.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johr-2026-0016 | Journal eISSN: 2353-3978 (formerly 2300-5009) | Journal ISSN: 2300-5009

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Language: English

Submitted on: Oct 1, 2025

Accepted on: May 1, 2026

Published on: Oct 31, 2026

Published by: National Institute of Horticultural Research

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

leaf relative water content,

Related subjects:

Ecology,

© 2026 Shamim Ahmed, Andrew J. Wood, Karla L. Gage, Jose F. Da Cunha Leme Filho, David J. Gibson, published by National Institute of Horticultural Research
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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