How Cannabis Plant Varieties Differ in Their Ability to Survive Cold
Nine Cannabis sativa varieties showed dramatically different abilities to survive freezing, with cold-hardy varieties activating specific genes and epigenetic changes that less hardy varieties could not.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers tested nine Cannabis sativa varieties for their ability to survive freezing after a cold acclimation period. The varieties fell into three groups based on cold tolerance, with substantial differences in survival.
Cold-hardy varieties accumulated higher levels of cold-regulated (COR) gene transcripts and maintained higher sugar levels throughout cold exposure. They also showed specific epigenetic modifications, including changes in histone acetylation, histone methylation, and DNA methylation at COR gene loci.
When plants were returned to warm conditions (deacclimation), the hardy varieties showed increased DNA methylation at COR genes, suggesting an epigenetic memory mechanism that may help the plant manage repeated cold exposure.
Key Numbers
9 Cannabis sativa varieties tested; 3 cold tolerance groups identified; epigenetic marks measured: H3K9ac, H3K27me3, methylcytosine; sugar accumulation and COR gene expression tracked
How They Did This
Comparative study of nine Cannabis sativa varieties subjected to cold acclimation treatment. Measured freezing survival in whole-plant tests, soluble sugar accumulation, COR gene transcript levels, and epigenetic marks (H3K9ac, H3K27me3, DNA methylation) at specific loci.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis cultivation expands to colder climates, understanding the genetic and epigenetic basis of cold tolerance could guide breeding programs for more resilient varieties. This is fundamental plant biology research with agricultural applications.
The Bigger Picture
This study reveals that cannabis cold tolerance is regulated by complex interactions between genetics, epigenetics, and environment. The epigenetic memory mechanism could be relevant for breeding programs as cannabis agriculture expands.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Controlled laboratory conditions may not perfectly replicate field conditions. The specific varieties studied may not represent the full genetic diversity of Cannabis sativa. Epigenetic mechanisms identified may not be the only factors determining cold tolerance.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can cold-tolerance traits be bred into high-cannabinoid varieties?
- ?Does the epigenetic memory mechanism persist across generations?
- ?How do these cold-tolerance mechanisms interact with cannabinoid production?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Three distinct cold tolerance groups across nine varieties
- Evidence Grade:
- Controlled plant biology study with detailed molecular analysis, though limited to laboratory conditions and specific varieties.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. Cannabis breeding and agricultural research have expanded substantially since.
- Original Title:
- Cold acclimation induces distinctive changes in the chromatin state and transcript levels of COR genes in Cannabis sativa varieties with contrasting cold acclimation capacities.
- Published In:
- Physiologia plantarum, 155(3), 281-95 (2015)
- Authors:
- Mayer, Boris F, Ali-Benali, Mohamed Ali, Demone, Jordan, Bertrand, Annick, Charron, Jean-Benoit
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01012
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis plants survive freezing?
Some varieties can, after a period of cold acclimation. This study found dramatic differences between varieties, with cold-hardy types activating specific genetic and epigenetic programs that protected them from freezing damage.
What does this mean for growing cannabis in cold climates?
It means that variety selection matters significantly for cold-climate cultivation. Breeding programs could potentially combine cold-tolerance traits with desired cannabinoid profiles to create varieties suited for northern growing regions.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01012APA
Mayer, Boris F; Ali-Benali, Mohamed Ali; Demone, Jordan; Bertrand, Annick; Charron, Jean-Benoit. (2015). Cold acclimation induces distinctive changes in the chromatin state and transcript levels of COR genes in Cannabis sativa varieties with contrasting cold acclimation capacities.. Physiologia plantarum, 155(3), 281-95. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12318
MLA
Mayer, Boris F, et al. "Cold acclimation induces distinctive changes in the chromatin state and transcript levels of COR genes in Cannabis sativa varieties with contrasting cold acclimation capacities.." Physiologia plantarum, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12318
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cold acclimation induces distinctive changes in the chromati..." RTHC-01012. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mayer-2015-cold-acclimation-induces-distinctive
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.