Sex Problems in Hemp

Abstract

The author reviews work on sex expression in Cannabis sativa (a dioecious species that normally produces nearly equal numbers of [male] and [female] plants), concluding that it is governed by metabolic conditions. Normally the difference in the chromosomes (i.e., heterozygous or homozygous for the X chromosome) brings about the metabolic difference which shows itself in maleness or femaleness of the resulting plants. But other factors, such as mutilations, length of daylight, fertility of soil, etc., also change the metabolic rate and thus result in intersexuality or even sex reversal.