OBJECTIVE

The goal of this project was to initiate the germination of Cannabis sativa (cannabis) seeds with the aim of identifying plants that possess a novel homozygous gene insertion event for an engineered cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase gene. These identified plants were subsequently cultivated and subjected to phenotyping and characterization within a controlled, indoor agricultural environment utilizing LED lighting. Additionally, select plants were cross-pollinated with a pollen donor carrying a Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) knock-out gene, facilitating the production of a new generation of seeds.

CHALLENGE

4Plant was facing a challenge in their pursuit of advancing cannabis genetics. They needed to germinate seeds that have been specifically bred for a unique homozygous gene insertion for an engineered cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase gene, requiring precise and sophisticated screening methods. The critical task was to grow and identify plants with the desired genetic profile using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) techniques and select plants with marketable phenotypic traits. However, 4Plant lacked access to an indoor controlled environment in Canada, which is essential for the accurate and efficient germination, growth, and pheno-hunting of these genetically tailored plants. This controlled environment is crucial not only for the initial screening process but also for the subsequent growth and characterization phases, which are vital for their ongoing research and development in cannabis breeding and plant selection.

SOLUTION

The Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) team at Niagara College (NC), with its state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation research facility, the CannaResearchBunker, provided the ideal solution to 4Plant’s current predicament. Equipped with an indoor controlled environment and advanced LED lighting systems, HESIC offered the perfect setting for the meticulous germination and growth processes required for 4Plant’s research. HESIC facilitated the qPCR screening to identify plants with the homozygous gene insertion accurately. After screening, HESIC provided the necessary conditions for growing out these selected plants and conducting comprehensive pheno-hunting. This enabled detailed characterization of the plants’ attributes, essential for 4Plant’s further breeding and plant selection initiatives. By partnering with HESIC, 4Plant leveraged the college’s sophisticated facilities and expertise to overcome their challenges in cannabis genetics research and development.