A Brighter Future For Desperate Hemp Farmers? Cornell Research Could Make It Possible, Here's How

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s (FFAR) Hemp Research Consortium provided two grants totaling $1.17 million to Cornell University to support a long-term breeding program to cultivate hemp for grain, fiber and CBD production in U.S. growing regions. Consortium partners contributed matching funds for a total investment of $2.34 million.

Why It Matters

U.S.-grown hemp crops can yield additional plant protein, health and personal care products, consumer textiles and industrial applications.

Hemp may also be a viable alternative crop for tobacco-dependent and economically distressed farmers.

However, because Canada and Europe have longer days than the U.S. during the summer growing season, hemp varieties from these areas tend to result in smaller yields and thus limited profit when grown in the U.S. This is particularly true in sub-tropical regions such as Florida.

Cornell researchers aim to understand the genetic basis of the photoperiod threshold, which is the amount of light a plant needs to achieve flowering and other types of development.

See also: Lack Of Oversight Continues To Hurt Hemp Industry, What To Expect From 2023 Farm Bill

The Research

The researchers are also developing varieties of hemp that will deliver higher yields, especially at lower latitudes in the U.S.

These plants are specifically bred for desired traits, using a marker-assisted selection that shows promise in southern latitudes and has specific desirable characteristics. Marker-assisted selection uses markers such as DNA linked to desired features to choose plants for breeding. Those new cultivars show improved grain and fiber yields and undetectable levels of THC, making them fully compliant with THC regulations.

“With its potential for hundreds of food and industrial applications, hemp can be a major cash crop in the U.S.,” Dr. Angela Records, FFAR chief scientific officer said. “This research will contribute to a burgeoning hemp industry by acclimating the crop to a variety of growing regions across the country.”

The research team is led by Dr. Larry Smart, a professor at Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section Plant Breeding and Genetics Section.

Now read: Legislative Developments Empower Hemp Farmers, Boost Marijuana Sales And Promote Equity

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Photo: Courtesy of y Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash