Cannabis plants are known to produce a wide range of chemical compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. These compounds are produced by specialized structures called trichomes, which are found on the surface of the plant. Some trichomes are glandular and contain high concentrations of these compounds, which play an important role in protecting the plant from herbivores and pathogens, as well as attracting beneficial insects and animals.
Cannabinoids and terpenes are produced by the cannabis plant via biosynthesis pathways. It's known that the biosynthesis of cannabinoids is mediated by enzymes that convert olivetolic acid (OA) into cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and then further into other cannabinoids.
Recent research has suggested that the presence of cannabinoids in the soil can help to improve the biosynthesis pathways in the cannabis plant, including the pathways that lead to the production of terpenes. Studies have found that the presence of cannabinoids in the soil can help to increase the activity of the enzymes responsible for converting OA into CBGA. This, in turn, can lead to increased production of other cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA).
In addition to impacting the biosynthesis of cannabinoids, the presence of cannabinoids in the soil may also help to improve the production of terpenes. Research has found that the presence of certain cannabinoids can help to increase the activity of the enzymes responsible for the production of terpenes, leading to increased levels of these compounds in the plant.
References:
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