Hemp Genetics
It all starts with the seed. When farmers grow hemp, they have the option of sowing Natural Seed, Genetically Modified (GM) seed, or Forced-Feminized Seed, while some opt to plant clones from cuttings or tissue culture. This fundamental decision will not only dictate the agronomy but will also determine the quality of hemp produced.
What is Natural Seed and how is it produced?
Natural seed is the product of mother nature. A male hemp plant pollinates a female hemp plant, at which point the female plant starts to focus its energy on producing seeds. These seeds may become either male or female plant.
What is GM Seed and how is it produced?
GM seed is created in a laboratory through genetic engineering. To create GM seeds, a plant’s desired trait is identified, and its gene is copied. That gene is then inserted into the DNA of another plant. If done successfully, the GM plant will carry the trait that was copied from the original plant.
What is Forced-Feminized Seed and how is it produced?
Forced-feminized seed is the product of stressing a female plant with toxic chemicals. In an attempt to ensure her genetic lineage survives before she dies from the poison, she begins to grow male organs so that she can self-pollinate. If she is successful, the seeds she produces will be permanently mutated. They are marketed to farmers that are only interested in growing female plants for their flower, but their mutated genetics are weaker, unable to adapt, and will never be able to produce viable seed.
Why do farmers use Forced-Feminized Seed?
A forced-feminized seed vendor would tell you that farmers that use forced-feminized seeds don’t have to identify and cull male plants, saving them time and labor. The truth is, they are either uninformed, too lazy to farm it the right way, or simply don’t care. By trying to cut corners, they will produce an inferior crop and end up spending more money to buy seed from their supplier every time they want to plant. Whereas if they use natural seed, the plants would strengthen its genetics by storing information it learned in its life cycle into the seeds it produces; such agronomy would allow a farmer to become self-sustainable to produce its own seed over and over again.
What are the advantages of Natural Seed?
Hemp from natural seed simply have stronger genetics—producing better crops and cannabinoids. Plants have adapted throughout the course of history to survive and thrive in their environment. Because a plant’s main goal is to ensure its genetic lineage, they are constantly learning and adapting. Everything they learn is stored and passed along to the next generation of seed. From a consumer's standpoint, natural products have been proven to offer a higher efficacy when compared to adulterated products.
What about plant clones?
Clones come from cuttings or tissue culture of a mother-plant. Since clones normally come from the same mother plant, they all share the same exact genetics and therefore a good option to ensure consistency. However, their genetics will not improve because they are being utilized to produce seed.