The Month In... Plant Science and Genetics
Need to catch up on the latest science for growers? Here are our Cannabis sativa science highlights for February
Cannabis is cannabis...except when it's hemp
High-CBD Cannabis sativa varieties are often genetically closer to drug-type cannabis than hemp, according to a new study. The authors note that this could be a problem if regulators ever move away from the 0.3 percent THC limit and towards genetic testing to distinguish between legal and illegal Cannabis sativa.
Transcription trio
Jonathan Page and colleagues at the University of British Columbia and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University have identified three new transcription factors involved in regulating the THCA synthase gene. A better understanding of the transcriptional control of the gene could help in future breeding efforts.
Disease update
This month saw the first reports of two pathogens in hemp: Diaporthe phaseolorum (stem canker) and Golovinomyces ambrosiae (powdery mildew).
Genetics of cannabigerol
Scientists from Oregon CBD have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that marks high levels of minor cannabinoid CBG levels.
