Do you need a method for certifying hemp seeds or breeding compliant pathogen-resistant varieties?
The 2018 Farm Bill transformed hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity; however, the USDA sampling guidelines will make it difficult for hemp cultivators to meet the 0.3% THCA limit.
Now, farmers purchasing seeds have a way to test seedlings and certify seeds match the seller’s claims, before planting their fields. And breeders can use high-quality genomic data to intelligently breed pathogen-resistant varieties with low THCA.
With Early Detection Plant Screening tools, hemp growers can test hemp seedlings shortly after germination. This can help certify that seeds have expected male to female ratios and/or have genetic markers that match known hemp varieties.
Plants with no functional THCA gene may still produce small amounts of THCA, making it hard to grow plants below the 0.3% limit. It’s possible that other cannabinoid synthase genes create small concentrations of THCA as a byproduct. With whole genome sequencing, you can analyze copy number variants (CNV) over cannabinoid synthase genes to help guide breeding decisions for compliant hemp varieties.
Many cannabis plants are believed to be resistant to common plant pathogens, such as powdery mildew. Identification of those traits can lead to more targeted breeding, increasing yield and reducing allergen exposure. Copy number variation (CNV) maps over genes encoding for pathogen resistance can help breeders select for more pathogen-resistant varieties.
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