Cannabis sativa L. - Botany and Biotechnology

Other environmental variables such as temperature, light, water availability and
plant spacing also affect the growth and development of theCannabisplants,
causing variations in quantity and quality of biomass.

3.3.1 Indoor Cultivation

Indoor cultivation ofCannabis sativaunder controlled environmental conditions
although, requires an altogether different system of growing however, allows a total
control on the plants life cycle and, the quality and quantity of the biomass as
starting material for the production of desirable cannabinoids profile for pharma-
ceutical use. The following parameters are to be considered for indoor production:

3.3.1.1 Grow Room Environment

A strict control on following environmental parameters of grow room is critical for
effective cultivation ofCannabisplants and, to avoid pest and diseases.

OPP

+ HO

OH

COOH

C 5 H 11

HO

OH

COOH

C 5 H 11

OH

COOH

O C 5 H 11

OH

COOH

HO C 5 H 11

OH

COOH

O C 5 H 11

Geranyl pyrophosphate

(GPP)

Cannabigerolic acid

(CBGA)

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid

(THCA)

Cannabidiolic Acid

(CBDA)

Cannabichromenic Acid

(CBCA)

Olivetolic acid

(OLA)

CBG acid synthase

THC acid synthase

CBC acid synthase

CBD acid

synthase

Fig. 3.5 Biosynthetic pathway of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, cannabidiolic acid and cannabi-
chromenic acid

86 S. Chandra et al.