Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Morphological traits characterization of five Cannabis sativa L. cultivars from the Rif Mountains, northern Morocco
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
El Bakali Ismail, Sahli Abdelouahab, Boutahar Aboubakr, El Bakali Samir, Chakkour Soufian
Research Articles | Published: 06 May, 2026
First Page: 0
Last Page: 0
Views: 81
Keywords: Morphological traits, Vegetative traits, Phenotypic variability, Internode development, Morphokinetic parameters, n Cannabis sativan
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate phenotypic and growth variation among five Cannabis sativa cultivars to support improved selection and breeding strategies. The cultivars included the local Moroccan ‘Beldiya’ and four high-THC commercial types grown under controlled greenhouse conditions. Morphological traits—such as internode development, stem diameter, leaf characteristics, and sex expression—were measured and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed significant variability among cultivars, particularly in vegetative and structural traits, which were more responsive to environmental conditions. In contrast, reproductive traits were relatively stable, suggesting stronger genetic control. Cultivar identity had a pronounced effect on key characteristics, including internode length, growth rate, and stem thickness. PCA effectively distinguished cultivars based on differences in growth patterns and plant architecture. Correlation analysis further indicated trade-offs between growth rate, elongation, and structural investment. Overall, the findings demonstrate that vegetative traits are strongly influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, whereas reproductive traits remain more consistent. These insights provide a useful basis for cultivar classification and targeted breeding programs.
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Author Information
Laboratory of Biology, Ecology, and Health, Faculty of Sciences of Tetouan, Abdelamlek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco