b'Hemp Quality andJIM SCHWEIGERT PRESIDENT, GRO ALLIANCEGenetic Testing @jim_schweigert jim.schweigert@groalliance.comGroAlliance.comPASSAGE OF THEAgricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) in December opened a big window of opportunity for many growers to grow industrial hemp as the new law classifies hemp as a crop. The legislationIs Hourly Pay the Enemy of defines a hemp variety as industrial hemp if its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in plant dry weight is no more than 0.3%.Efficiency?Part 2Many cannabinoids, the chemical compounds produced by cannabis plants including9-THC, CBD, CBG and others, can be analyzed using high-perfor- IN MY LAST ARTICLE,I discussed the challenges mance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate, identify and quantify eachof motivating hourly employees to improve effi-component. ciency. Hourly employees may miss out on overtime Genetic testing is of great importance for those who are breeding forhours when the time to complete a project or exe-superior lines and varieties. Application of molecular markers in many veg- cute a process is reduced. This can make it difficult etable and field crops have significantly accelerated the breeding process.for hourly employees to bring forward efficiency Marker-assisted selection, DNA fingerprinting and database genotyping canideas. I suggested that it would be better to have also be applied in hemp production and breeding. A DNA marker is avail- those employees responsible for driving efficiency able to identify female plants at early stages of growth which has proven toto be paid on a salaried basis. In this article, I will be a tremendously helpful tool for hemp growers and breeders. DNA can beexplore the possible pitfalls of that approach. extracted directly from hemp seed or leaf tissue. PCR is performed on theSalaried employees think about work differ-DNA to determine the female/male ratio. The process is extremely fast andently than hourly employees. They dont punch a can yield results within 72 hours.timeclock, and many dont keep track of their time Other trait-linked markers (TLM) including a marker linked to drug versusthroughout the year. They tend to think about their non-drug forms of cannabis are being investigated. DNA fingerprinting andwork in terms of output and results, rather than the genotyping of strains can be achieved by using a larger number of molecularhours put in. This can be beneficial when it comes markers which could help growers and breeders protect their valuable germ- to driving efficiency as salaried employees benefit plasm. Once a genotyping database has been created, the information canwhen they can get the same amount of work done be used for hemp molecular breeding to establish hemp lines with stable THCbut in less time.below the 0.3% threshold.Salaried pay, however, can create an issue Public research has begun to develop hemp molecular markers that will beduring seasonal peaks where additional hours are available to hemp breeders. This research presents a tremendous cost savingsunavoidable. Its then when salaried employees for breeders. However, it might be a while before such data is publicly availablebecome very good at keeping track of the addi-and many private breeders need to have molecular tools as fast as possible.tional hours worked! In such cases, molecular markers can be developed forThis is just human nature. The trick for the interested parties quickly by using their germ- company is to make sure salaried employees see plasm. The advantage of this approachtheir work in terms of the entire season. Allowing is increased efficiency of the datasalaried employees to have a bit of flexibility, when as it was developed from a specificpossible, is a great way to reward them for the long germplasm and for application in thehours. Allowing a little time off here and there to same materials. With advancementsgo to a doctors appointment or leave early for a in sequencing, such projects could belong-weekend will be remembered when they put set up quickly and with significant costin the extra effort commonplace during planting, efficiency. detasseling, harvest, and packaging.Hourly and salaried employees who see a benefit to their efforts are much more motivated to bring forward ideas to improve efficiency and overall performance. Establishing open commu-ASGAR SHIR nication with employees and communicating the DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, why will also help employees understand how EUROFINS BIODIAGNOSTICS their efforts support the company, and ultimately AsgarShir@eurofinsus.comtheir career.www.eurofinsus.com/biodiagnostics/OCTOBER 2019SEEDWORLD.COM /45'