Variation in mineral composition in three different plant organs of five fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars

Five fibre cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. were grown in a field experiment during two consecutive seasons in Central Italy with the aim to establish the pattern of the macro- and micronutrient accumulation in three different plant organs (leaves, bark and core) and to evaluate the nutrient uptake and partitioning within the plant in order to gaining knowledge on their nutrient requirements. The cultivar and the kind of organ significantly influenced both the macro- and micronutrient concentration of fibre hemp with the highest concentrations in leaves followed by bark and core. The only exceptions were S, Fe, Ni and Al, which had different distribution within the plant organs. The two parts of the stem showed significant variations in macro- and micronutrient compositions. The nutrient uptake and partitioning within the plant were primarily dependent on cultivar characteristics in term of total dry yield. The Italian dioecious cultivars (Carmagnola, C.S., Fibranova, Red Petiole) resulted more productive than the French monoecious Felina 34, however this behaviour does not reflect on total uptake, since the yield components, definitively influenced the total nutrient removal.