Location: Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21000-056-006-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2024
End Date: Oct 31, 2025
Objective:
1. Production. Develop optimally performing industrial hemp (IH) germplasm for Western U.S. production regions with value-added improved physical and chemical properties suited non-food industrial and food and beverage uses.
2. Genomic and material properties characterization. Characterize industrial hemp material physical and chemical properties matched for use in biobased manufacturing end-product quality.
3. Materials and by-product utilization. Develop novel non-food and alternative protein uses of industrial hemp utilizing fiber, hemp hurds, grain, and other processing byproducts.
Approach:
A genes-to-fields-to-manufactured products approach will match end-use specifications with custom-designed industrial hemp (IH) genetics adapted to Western U.S. production conditions. This research will help develop no-waste, whole-plant utilization systems, and determine overall production and biobased manufacturing systems operation efficiencies to continuously improve supply chain profitability.
Production. We are selecting germplasm adapted to the latitudinal range of Pacific Western U.S. environments with targeted improved industrial and food use traits.
Genomic and materials properties characterization. We will incorporate large-scale genome and trait data plus emerging artificial intelligence (AI) approaches to accelerate breeding progress.
Materials and by-product utilization. We will use processed bast fibers and hurd byproducts to create biodegradable and compostable packaging products using molded pulp technology and produce nano- or semi-nano scale cellulosic materials for packaging and other applications.
