Track:

Cannabis* Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Physiology, and Cultivation

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Sessions & Session Descriptions:

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Advances in Cannabis Plant Science and Cultivation

Cannabis has been used by humanity since antiquity for the production of fibers and medical and recreational use. In recent years, its cultivation for modern agriculture and the demand for high-grade medical ‘drug-type’ cannabis and industrial ‘fiber-type’ cannabis products have sharply increased. Despite the high demand for the plants' product and the long history of cultivation by mankind, due to legal restrictions in the last decades, almost no science-based knowledge is available about cannabis plant science and agronomy. Recent changes in regulations facilitate the flourishing of plant-science studies of the cannabis plant and advances in research and development that are required to support the booming cannabis industry. The proposed session aims to demonstrate advances and breakthroughs in various plant science and cultivation-related topics and allow interaction and brainstorming.

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Cannabis and Hemp Pathogens - from Molecular Diagnostics to Disease Management Approaches

The increased cultivation of cannabis (marijuana and hemp) throughout North America is leading to an increase in the prevalence of plant pathogens, including fungi, oomycetes, viruses, viroids, bacteria, and nematodes. Diagnosing the occurrence and spread of these pathogens requires rapid confirmation of their presence, followed by implementing appropriate management practices to reduce their economic impact. Several diagnostic approaches based on molecular tools have been developed to detect and confirm many important pathogens, including species of Fusarium and Pythium, powdery mildew, several viruses, and Hop latent viroid, to name a few. Furthermore, these diagnostic tools are used to study the epidemiology of these pathogens on cannabis crops. In the proposed session for the ICR Cannabis Research Conference, presentations on recent molecular diagnostic applications to detect and monitor the spread of pathogens affecting cannabis will be included. In addition, research studies aimed at reducing the development and spread of these pathogens through various management approaches will be included. These may include the development of genotypes with enhanced resistance to specific pathogens, cultural and environmental approaches, evaluation of products aimed at reducing pathogen development and spread, management of vectors and transmission, and other novel approaches. Presenters will constitute researchers from the private sector who have developed and are offering diagnostic services and products to growers and academic and not-for-profit researchers who can present insights into approaches for the molecular detection and management of these pathogens. The proposed session will include up to 8-10 presentations, divided between the diagnostics and management of the pathogens. The presentations will emphasize the novelty and originality of the work conducted and the potential benefit provided to cannabis producers. The session will be informative for producers and researchers alike and provide up-to-date information that can be applied to the cannabis sector, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the quality and yield of this crop in the face of increasing pressure from emerging pathogens.

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Cannabis Breeding - Developing Chemotypes to Address Consumer and Agronomic Traits

The cultivation of cannabis has undergone a transformative shift with the increasing recognition of its potential for medicinal and recreational use, but also as a sustainable raw material.  Breeders play a pivotal role in selecting and enhancing specific chemotypes to cater to consumer needs, such as therapeutic efficacy, flavor profiles, and desired psychoactive effects. Simultaneously, attention is directed towards optimizing agronomic traits for sustainable cultivation, including resistance to pests and diseases, adaptability to varying environmental conditions, and/or fiber quality. This session delves into the methodologies employed in cannabis breeding, encompassing traditional breeding techniques and cutting-edge genetic and genomic approaches.  In addition to providing a concise overview of the dynamic landscape of cannabis breeding, efforts to characterize the biochemistry underlying key traits will also be featured, thereby highlighting cutting-edge research to meet diverse market demands, promote sustainable cultivation practices, and contribute to the broader understanding of this versatile plant.

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Emergence, Distribution, and Biology of Cannabis Pests

As hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) production increases across the country, more and more pests have emerged as threats to hemp production. These threats include previously known pests to Cannabis, but as hemp production increases in different regions, new pests have emerged that have not been previously identified in Cannabis. This proposed session will focus on the interactions between hemp and its numerous biological threats, with special attention paid to the real and potential damage generated. There will be two main focuses of this proposed session. The first will be the emergence of new pests to Cannabis. This focus will include pest identification, symptomatology, and potential damage incurred. In addition to new pests, this focus will include current known pest distribution and potential migratory patterns of these pests to new regions, especially to newer outdoor hemp markets. The second focus will be on the biological interactions between pests (both new and established) and hemp. From this session, researchers will have a greater understanding of the pests that infect hemp and the ability to triage them based on their current or projected expansion into new growing areas and/or ability to cause significant damage to hemp. This symposium will include researchers from all backgrounds, including students, post-docs, faculty, and industry.

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Genetic Basis for Flowering Time in Hemp

Cannabis sativa typically exhibits photoperiod-sensitive flowering, with wide variation in day length sensitivity.  Matching critical day length period to latitude is critical for optimizing field production in any market class.  Day-neutral (cauliflower) varieties also initiate flowering based on maturity, stress, or perhaps other signals.  This session will explore what is known about the genetic basis for variation in photoperiod sensitivity, flowering time, and day-neutral flowering.

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Genomic, Phenomic, and Germplasm Resources

How many cannabis genomes are available? What molecular markers have been developed? Is there a standard way to phenotype a specific trait? Where can I find germplasm to screen? In the past decade, an onslaught of genomic, phenomic and germplasm tools, pipelines, and resources have been developed. We encourage submissions describing the development of these resources, where to find them, how to use them, and what is still needed. By leveraging genomic, phenomic, and germplasm resources, we can address current challenges and unlock the full potential of this versatile plant.

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Into the Wild: How Feral Hemp Can Inform and Improve Contemporary Cannabis Cultivation

Agricultural domestication greatly reduces genetic diversity and affects ecosystem processes. Through domestication, traits in cultivated plants are selected for, resulting in exaggerated physical characteristics, uniform morphologies, and reduced plant defense compared to their wild ancestors. As one of the first domesticated crops and due to its multiuse nature, Cannabis has undergone many waves of domestication. However, because Cannabis is adept at escaping cultivation and establishing in feral populations, leading to locally adapted genotypes, we can use these feral populations as genetic resources. Therefore, we aim to illuminate the role of feral hemp in enriching Cannabis research, focusing on its evolutionary history, leveraging its germplasm for breeding resilience and diversity, and its contribution to understanding the function of phytochemical diversity and addressing its potential as an invasive species. Feral hemp's evolutionary history offers insights into Cannabis's adaptability and genetic evolution. Traditional classification has often been simplistic, primarily distinguishing plants by their psychoactive properties (i.e., marijuana) versus their industrial uses (i.e., hemp). However, the limitations of this binary classification suggest a need for a more biologically relevant classification system that considers a broader range of genetic characteristics. Moreover, feral hemp germplasm serves as a vital resource for introducing genetic diversity into cultivated strains, which is essential for the sustainability of Cannabis cultivation. Variation among feral Cannabis populations provides opportunities to investigate the effects of phytochemical diversity on arthropod communities. Hypotheses postulate that plants with high phytochemical diversity maintain a greater selective advantage when defending against diverse natural enemies, reducing overall herbivory. By examining the phytochemical variance within feral populations, we may also uncover novel compounds and traits that enhance the therapeutic and commercial value of Cannabis. Finally, understanding feral hemp's impact on ecosystems as a potentially invasive species will guide the development of management strategies. This session invites Cannabis researchers to explore the benefits of feral hemp, fostering a comprehensive approach to Cannabis science that bridges the gap between feral populations and cultivated varieties.

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Exploring the Green Frontiers' Therapeutic Potential: Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Advances in Cannabis Research

 Cannabis is a volatile research topic with focus being on business, QC/QA control, and analytical science, the need for more exploration and spotlight on the medical potential of cannabis and collaborating with labs looking to expand research is pertinent.