In the past, plant breeders were essentially blind to the inner workings of plants. To understand how traits were passed along from plant to plant, they had to actually breed the plants, grow them and wait to see the results.
With the benefit of modern science, breeders can now “see” inside the plants they intend to breed. Using a technique called “marker-assisted breeding,” our plant scientists can examine the DNA of seeds to find the ones that will produce the best plants. First, genetic “markers” are identified in plants’ DNA that are linked to important traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, yield, taste, nutrition, etc. The markers are then used like a test to screen all of the plants available for breeding and accurately select and breed only the seeds that will produce plants with the desirable traits.
Our seed chippers allow us to determine the genetics of a seed without destroying the seed itself. The chipper sorts and rotates a seed so a tiny tissue sample can be shaved off to be analysed. If that seed contains the genetic traits we desire, the seed is still viable, so a breeder can plant it in a field test and use it in the breeding process to create more seeds of its kind.
Using technologies and scientific knowledge of today and applying it to the age-old practice of breeding allows us to find the best-of-the-best germplasm, or genetics, and get high-performing seeds to farmers’ fields – faster. Compared to conventional breeding, our breeding program today is doubling the rate of improvement in key genetic characteristics such as yield and important agronomic traits, which can help agriculture become more sustainable.
What do you think of this non GM breeding technique that uses gene markers , any objections ?
I think studing the Cannabis genome and using marker assisted breeding that is then done with classical breeding is great. I have zero problems with it
An indoor gardener can use this principle to initiate flowering even in a light cycle of 14 or more hours. During the dark period of a plant’s life, they can be given a brief pulse of red light. This changes the Pr type into the Pfr form and allows flowering to begin. Interestingly, these same phytochrome proteins play a crucial role in seed germination.
For instance, the Pfr form of phytochrome allows germination to proceed. Therefore, if one is having difficulty germinating recently purchased Cannabis seeds, they should try exposing them to a short period of red light before planting them.
Is their any truth in this statement ?
I doubt any light will penetrate a dead , opaque seed shell.
Not sure if cannabis seed would benefit from light exposure for germination, it would be an interesting experiment (one that’s probably been done). Red light has always been the spectrum thought to be the best as blue light seems to be an inhibitor, at least with seeds that need light for germination.For instance, the Pfr form of phytochrome allows germination to proceed. Therefore, if one is having difficulty germinating recently purchased Cannabis seeds, they should try exposing them to a short period of red light before planting them.
There also exists within Cannabis and other plants a protein called cytochrome (Bou-Torrent et al., 2008). Cytochromes are protein molecules that harbour a chromophore, a colour-absorbing molecule. Depending on the wavelength of light striking the plant surface, the phytochromes are converted between different states or forms.
When the phytochromes receive red light (660nm) they become the Pfr type, which is active and allows flowering to proceed. If far-red light (730nm) is detected the phytochrome becomes the Pr type. The Pr type is a biologically inactive form and so flowering cannot proceed.
Well no one has seen it that is for sure, does that mean it is alive in a secret facility???? Pretty much for sure......
-SamS
If Monsanto wants to make GMO Cannabis they need to be licensed by the DEA to do the work, all of the DEA licenses to work with Cannabis are on file. Nothing from Monsanto, what does that mean? No i do not think they have GMO Cannabis.
-SamS
I knew you lived in EU and is why I asked if you had seen that vid. It's very eye opening the power of that corporation in particular!
And EU is very wise not allowing the GMOs but tha only applies to human food. Animal feed is less regulated so EUropeans aren't immune from GMOs effects.
Just saying...
I don't fear GMO cannabis either but that's not the point.
We don't really know what these con men are up to!
I don't think they're interested in cannabis as much as they are food crops but who's to say what they've got going on in the background?
Monsanto needs a stoned America so they can sell more Round Up ready Bt terminator corn seed to make more Doritos.
Scientists have genetically modified yeast to produce the main psychoactive substance in marijuana, THC. Responsible for most of weed’s effects (including the high), THC can also be used for medical purposes, to treat symptoms of HIV infection and chemotherapy.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or to be more precise, its main isomer (−)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. In April 2014 the American Academy of Neurology published a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana and marijuana-derived products in certain neurological disorders, identifying 34 studies that meet the necessary criteria and that document its potential medical uses.
“This is something that could literally change the lives of millions of people,” Kevin Chen from Hyasynth Bio, a US-based company that’s been engineering yeasts to produce both THC and cannabidiol – another active compound that has shown promise as a medical treatment – said in a statement.
Researchers from the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany published their results in the journal Biotechnology Letters. They looked into which genes of the marijuana plant produce THC, and then engineered those genes into yeast, which now creates THC itself.
The goal here isn’t just to create THC – because you know, marijuana is doing a pretty good job at that – but to find a better way to create THC in countries where the growth of marijuana is illegal even for research purposes. Synthetic versions of the substance are currently available, but the goal of the German researchers was to find a more efficient and cheaper way of producing it. Yasmin Hurd, a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Tech Insider that using all the compounds in marijuana simultaneously is like “throwing 400 tablets in a cocktail and saying ‘take this,'” rather than figuring out which component of that cocktail is really beneficial for the specific disease. We need to somehow figure out what compounds have medical potential. Hopefully, this yeast will help.
Despite the recent surge in the news about cannabis’ medical properties, there is a limited evidence that it is actually effective against the conditions it is currently prescribed for. Researchers are currently trying to delimitate its actual benefits from wishful thinking.
Journal Reference: Bastian Zirpel, Felix Stehle , Oliver Kayser – Production of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid from cannabigerolic acid by whole cells of Pichia (Komagataella) pastoris expressing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase from Cannabis sativa l. Biotechnology Letters