Location: Vegetable Crops Research
Project Number: 5090-21000-070-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2022
End Date: Jun 30, 2025
Objective:
- Establish genomic resources to enable effective association mapping studies in hemp.
- Discover DNA markers and flower, grain, fiber characteristics that maximize industry profitability and match consumer preferences in hemp.
- Deliver molecular and genetic resources to improve hemp yield and quality traits that maximize industry profitability and match consumer preferences.
- Develop infrastructure for a hemp breeding program.
- Develop, optimize, and implement genotype-flexible transformation and gene-editing methods.
- Produce novel genetic resources using new breeding technologies to support discover and translational research.
Approach:
Develop mapping and breeding populations for major gene pools.
- Sequence mapping population parents and progeny and develop Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) resources and a SNP genotyping platform.
- Phenotype and genotype major quality/yield traits in mapping populations and identify SNPs and genes of interest.
- Update greenhouse facilities and purchase hemp specific field equipment.
- A baseline hemp transformation protocol will be optimized and efficiency improved by modifying media and related processes, integrating mechanical procedures, and evaluating priority cultivars.
- Priority genes will be introduced into hemp and/or targeted by editing to support experimental and applied outcomes. Traits of interest will include secondary metabolites, plant development and productivity, and agronomic support and protection attributes.
