Location: Vegetable Crops Research
Project Number: 5090-21000-070-002-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 29, 2025
End Date: Aug 28, 2026
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 geneediting
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 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 an productivity, and agronomic support and
protection attributes.