News: The Austin Chronic: Texas A&M’s Hemp Breeding Program Adds Drought-Resistant Genetics to the National Collection.
Published 8:00 AM EST, October 01, 2024
After several years of research, the team is preparing to deliver its first set of germplasms to the United States Department of Agriculture, which houses the plant material (both pollen and seed) in a repository that any licensed breeder in America can pull from.
Researchers at Texas A&M, led by Russell Jessup, are developing heat- and drought-tolerant hemp varieties through the Hemp Conversion Program. By subjecting hemp plants to extreme environmental conditions like high temperatures, salinity, and poor soil quality, they aim to identify and enhance resilient genetics. The goal is to produce hemp strains suited for hot, humid regions such as Texas, where conventional hemp varieties have struggled to thrive. Their work will provide a public collection of hemp germplasm accessible to farmers through the USDA, addressing the current shortage and high cost of hemp seeds.
The program stands out for its commitment to making its genetic resources publicly available, unlike the private sector, which often tightly controls hemp genetics. This open-access approach is designed to benefit farmers who face difficulties sourcing approved hemp varieties. The team has gathered genetic material from across the globe, combining strains from regions like Japan, Switzerland, China, and southern India to create hemp plants that can withstand challenging climates. The research also aims to fill a gap in the USDA’s hemp collection, particularly for regions in the southern U.S.
Beyond breeding new hemp strains, Texas A&M’s program is exploring additional areas of interest, including mutational work on cannabinoid-free "Type V" cannabis, plant variety patents, and the development of potential anticancer medicines. This broader scope positions the program as a significant player in agricultural innovation, with its research attracting attention from various industries looking for sustainable crops and alternative medicinal applications.
This discovery is crucial for the cannabis sector because it widens the genetic pool of industrial hemp, which is especially useful for farmers in harsh climates. The Hemp Conversion Program, by making resilient hemp strains available, has the potential to reduce financial risk for farmers while also improving hemp farming sustainability. Furthermore, the emphasis on cannabinoid-free cannabis and anticancer research suggests novel therapeutic and agricultural applications for the cannabis plant, potentially expanding market opportunities for hemp-derived products.
Source: The Austin Chronicle
