b'Seed Genetics Play into Markets Mosher says its imperative to understand the importance of While these markets are all in their infancy and still working oncertified seed and understanding specs within the seed. creating new products and new opportunities, its important toIn a typical crop, youd say success is based on 50% genetics, remember how seed genetics come into play for these markets. 50% agronomy, she says. In this industry, because the genetics Mark notes that one difference between the U.S. markets andwere not stable and ill-bred for adaptation to regions, flowering other markets is seed genetics.time, etc., Id say the genetics were even more important.Right now, were bringing in a lot of genetics from otherHaving genetics that are bred as close to your region ascountries and were trying to adapt them into the latitudes andpossible is key.production practices we have here in the U.S., Mark says. WhenUsing imported seed from Canada or Europe will have a you look at a lot of the Canadian varieties that are grown, theyyield impactit will not yield the same as it does in the region it have 30+ years on us. was bred, Mosher says. What does it mean to have 30+ years of research and fine- Finally, ensuring THC compliance is key to look for in seed tuning in the hemp seed industry? genetics.Those varieties produce THC that consistently stay belowThe Cornell and CSU studies showed that cannabinoid the THC threshold, they dont have plants going hot, becausecontrol is due to genetics, not environment. Varieties must be theyve got years of breeding for their conditions, he says.bred generation after generation, with high selection pressure to Were trying to bring them down and put them in a differentensure that cannabinoid stability. The good news is once youve latitude, and thats been a struggle. gotten there, it stays there because it is under genetic control, However, even though hemp hasnt been in production sinceMosher says. the 1950s, Mark says theres still plenty of time for the U.S. toAs for her advice? Do your research on genetics.catch upbut itll take some time.Hemp is a risky crop already, Mosher says. When you dont In terms of genetics within the U.S., Mosher says quality isdo your research on the genetics side, its a recipe for failure.SWcertainly improving.Weve been established since 2014if you think its the wildWHEREWant to read the last article in the Cannabis Chronicles series? Check out west now, you should have seen it then, she says. The hempON THE the latest trend of feminized hemp seed and where the market is taking it: industry is really gaining knowledge on the certified seed side;WEB seedworld.com/feminized-hemp-seed-the-latest-trendweve come a long way.Seed to Harvest stress relief and synergy.EndoFine SI:Full Season Bene cial Bene cial Fungal Organism.Inoculation lasts the life of the plant. Lives inside and outside the roots. Symbiotic activity with several microbes.Helps uptake micronutrients even in high pH soils. Apply onto seed immediatelyor twodays to many months ahead of seed treatments and planting.106 Wigle Ave., Kingsville, Ontario.1-519-733-4659 www.adjuvantsplus.com114/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'