Researchers Pinpoint Markers That “Significantly Influence Cannabinoid Production”
Anyone who has cultivated cannabis knows that certain strains produce better cannabis than others, and sometimes also in larger volumes. Even if all things were equal, from light exposure to environment to nutrients and grow mediums, some strains just perform better in the end.
For many years, home cultivators and commercial producers were unsure why certain strains yielded better harvests than others. However, new research out of Canada is shedding light on why some cannabis varieties yield more cannabinoid production than others.
Researchers affiliated with various academic and research institutions examined “cannabis accessions from the legal Canadian market” and focused on “identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes associated with eleven cannabinoid traits using 282K common single-nucleotide polymorphisms.”
The study’s results were published in the academic journal The Plant Genome.
“This approach aims to transform our understanding of Cannabis genetics.” the researchers wrote. “We have pinpointed 33 significant markers that significantly influence cannabinoid production, promising to drive the development of Cannabis varieties with specific cannabinoid profiles.”
“Among the notable findings is a massive haplotype of ∼60 Mb on chromosome 7 in Type I (i.e., tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]-dominant) accessions, highlighting a major genetic influence on cannabinoid profiles.” the researchers determined. “These insights offer valuable guidance for Cannabis breeding programs, enabling the use of precise genetic markers to select and refine promising Cannabis varieties.”
Knowing which markers boost cannabinoid production will help cannabis breeders and cultivators selectively breed cannabis strains that contain those markers and develop crops that are rich in certain cannabinoids. Those crops can then be used to make products that patients and consumers need, and likely in a more efficient and cost-friendly manner.
“This approach promises to speed up the breeding process, reduce costs significantly compared to traditional methods, and ensure that the resulting Cannabis varieties are optimized for specific medical and recreational needs.” the researchers stated.
“This study marks a significant stride toward fully integrating Cannabis into modern agricultural practices and genetic research, paving the way for future innovations.” the researchers concluded.