Factors affecting cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol production in Cannabis, Internal mechanisms and environmental factors , A systematic review

Context: The increasing demand for cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in medical applications underscores the need for optimized Cannabis cultivation. Aims: To explore the impact of environmental and genetic factors on cannabinoid production, focusing on CBD and THC, using systematic bibliometric analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and regression modeling. Methods: Data were collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases, resulting in 56 systematically reviewed studies. Information on temperature, humidity, altitude, photoperiod, and cultivation methods was also extracted. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer to identify research trends, whereas PCA and regression analyses were performed in RStudio to evaluate the relationships between environmental factors and cannabinoid profiles. Results: The analysis highlighted that Cannabis sativa was the dominant species studied, with CBD being the most researched cannabinoid. PCA revealed positive correlations between CBD production and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Regression analysis supported these trends, with altitude showing a minimal direct influence. Cultivar differences had less impact on cannabinoid profiles than environmental variables. Conclusions: Environmental factors play pivotal roles in cannabinoid production. These findings provide actionable insights for optimizing cultivation practices and advancing cannabinoid research.