Using Molecular Markers as a Powerful Tool for Accelerating Hemp Breeding Programs
Öz
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multipurpose crop prized for its diverse applications, from textiles to pharmaceuticals. However, traditional hemp breeding programs are often constrained by the laborious and time-consuming nature of phenotypic screening for key traits such as plant gender and cannabinoid profiles. Traditional methods are generally inefficient and delay selection until later developmental stages. This study investigated the application of a PCR Plant Screening by SCAR markers (SCAR119 and MADC2) and commercial youPCR assays (Gender Assay, CBDA Markers, and THCA Markers) for rapid and accurate early-stage screening of ten industrial Turkish hemp landraces. The research focused on achieving early and precise identification of sex and cannabinoid chemotypes to accelerate breeding cycles. By employing these molecular markers, we were able to confirm the gender and predict the cannabinoid chemotypes of all accessions within one week of germination. These molecular identifications showed high agreement with later-stage visual observations, thus validating the efficacy of the applied method. The ability to rapidly identify male plants and cannabinoid chemotypes significantly reduces the time, labor, and resources required for trait selection in traditional style breeding. The study highlights the breeding potential of incorporating genetic tools into hemp breeding strategies. These findings demonstrate that the implementation of molecular markers can substantially improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hemp breeding programs. The demonstrated benefits are not limited to a faster selection process, but also facilitate targeted hemp cultivation and advancements in both agricultural and industrial applications. The current method supports the faster development of improved cultivars tailored to specific industrial and medicinal applications.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Industrial Hemp breeding, Molecular markers, PCR, Gender, Cannabinoid Chemotype
Kaynakça
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