Unveiling Cannabinoids and Terpenes Diversity in Cannabis sativa L. from Northern India for Future Breeding Strategies

ABSTRACT

Cannabis sativa L. is an important medicinal plant with high commercial value. In recent years, the research interest in cannabidiol (CBD) and terpene‐rich cannabis has been rapidly expanding due to their high therapeutic potential. The present study aims to explore the phytocannabinoids and terpenes diversity in C. sativa collected from different parts of northern India. Our findings revealed that the cannabinoids and terpenes synthesize together in capitate stalked and capitate sessile glandular trichomes, whereas bulbous glands synthesize only terpenes. The North Indian C. sativa is mainly dominated by tetrahydrocannabinol. The CBD‐rich plant diversity is nominal (1.11%) in studied north Indian C. sativa. The essential oil profiling reveals (E)‐caryophyllene (10.30%–36.80%) as the major constituent, followed by α‐humulene (0.50%–15.29%) and α‐bisabolol (0.00%–16.40%) in the North Indian population. The cannabinoids and terpenes content showed significant diversity among and within the five studied populations. The correlation analysis between cannabinoids and terpenes indicates that α‐pinene, β‐pinene and limonene positively correlated with CBD content. Similarly, α‐ and β‐selinene correlate positively with tetrahydrocannabinolic acid content. This study could help to identify the key cultivars from India and establish a consistent chemotype for future breeding programs.