One of the most versatile and sustainable plant, hemp could explore mass production entry with NWG’s AMPLIFY hybrid trait fostering hemp populations with up to 100% female plants
New West Genetics (NWG) announces hemp seed AMPLIFY hybrid trait that fosters up to 100% female plants
New West Genetics (NWG) scientists achieved a major discovery by developing a trait through a genetic skewing of gender in conjunction with hybrid vigor that fosters hemp populations with up to 100% female plants, a departure from the conventional 50%. This discovery brings about a doubling of yields without resorting to chemically induced methods used in creating feminized seeds.
Named NWG’s AMPLIFY trait, it is a non-GMO hybrid, and it has the ability to double grain yields while retaining the traditional advantages of a hybrid crop. Given that hemp female plants are responsible for the production of all grain and flowers, as well as the highest-performing fiber, AMPLIFY contributes to a up to 2x increase in yields – while typical hybrid yield increases in row crops range from 10-30% –, and has proven effective in all tested genetic backgrounds.
Male and female hemp plants: what’s the difference? Which one do we need the most? Economic landscapes of Industrial hemp
Hemp individual plants develop either female or male reproductive organs, or hermaphrodite characteristics. Many hemp cultivators desire the ability to determine whether a hemp seed will ultimately develop into a male or female plant. This can be accomplished through DNA testing of a seedling in its early stages, typically when the plant is just a few weeks old. Alternatively, one can discern what hemp seed’s sex is by planting it in the soil and waiting for four to six weeks until the plant reaches the pre-flower stage.
Around the sixth week of growth, farmers can identify the sex of their plants by closely examining the crux of the branches, known as the nodes. Male hemp plants exhibit small pollen sacs at their nodes, while female hemp plants develop bracts. As the female plant matures, delicate, hair-like stigma emerges from the bracts, serving to capture the pollen released by the male plants.
Hermaphrodite hemp plants manifest both male and female sex organs. Resin, a naturally occurring compound used in extracts, is present in both male and female plants. Yet, there is a substantial difference in their respective outputs. Generally, the quantity of resin obtained from female hemp plants outweighs that from males, establishing them as the more lucrative choice for harvest.
Breeding all feminized and better Industrial hemp: NWG hybrid AMPLIFY seed creation
The intricate process of plant breeding and global food production heavily relies on flower pollination to yield fruits, a procedure complicated by the fact that some flowers contain exclusively male or female reproductive organs, some are hermaphroditic, and others can switch sexes.
Understanding how flowers develop their structures is needed for crop breeding programs adapting to environmental challenges. This holds more significance in crops where one gender is more valuable, such as female hops for brewing, long-living male asparagus plants, and hermaphroditic papaya fruits known for their superior taste.
Hudson Alpha plant biologist Dr. Alex Harkess and his lab have used genomics to unravel plant reproduction intricacies and identify genes controlling flower sex. Sex-determination genes have been clearly defined in only five plant species, with the aim to characterize sex chromosomes and sex-determining genes across all orders of flowering plants.
Using genomics developed by HudsonAlpha and New West Genetics
Building on this, a collaboration between HudsonAlpha and New West Genetics secured a USDA-NIFA grant, aiming to decipher hemp sex chromosomes using the Cytogenetics-by-Sequencing (CBS) pipeline, focusing on breeding all feminized seeds of industrial hemp, a versatile plant with applications cultivated for centuries.
The genomic insights gained from this research could prove influential in improving germplasm, not only for hemp but potentially for other plant and animal species.
Hemp as a new entry in agricultural raw materials
Hemp, an annual flowering plant native to Eastern Asia, has gained prominence for its industrial applications since its commercial legalization in 2018. Recognized for sustainability benefits, including carbon sequestration and low input requirements, hemp offers versatile uses in textiles, building materials, bioplastics, animal bedding, and more. Its seeds are a valuable grain-oilseed crop, rich in protein and essential nutrients, making it comparable to soy but with superior oil nutrition.
While it’s common in cannabinoid markets to chemically induce a higher female percentage, the hybrid AMPLIFY variant represents a natural alternative to this practice. This variety marks the initiation of what is hemp’s transformation from a small-acre specialty crop to a large-scale, commercially competitive hybrid crop. For hemp to integrate seamlessly into traditional rotations in the United States, it must demonstrate economic competitiveness with established crops like soy and corn.
NWG’s AMPLIFY hybrid seed integration into the traditional agricultural rotations in the United States
Farmers are looking for new, competitive raw materials that can bring economic results and added soil health for farm sustainability. The AMPLIFY variant may be introduced to become a solid rotation option for farmers, bringing much higher yields, ease of agronomy and the bonus of an exceptional root system for carbon sequestration.
The transformative impact of hybrid crops on agricultural production, addressing the demands of a growing population and the requirements of farmers for robust and dependable genetics, cannot be overstated. Beyond yield increases that come with hybrids, the benefits also include faster growth, seedling vigor, better stress responses, and disease resistance.
Hybrid hemp varieties demonstrate superior establishment in challenging conditions compared to open-pollinated or conventional genetics. Additionally, hybrids provide flexibility in planting timing, a valuable asset in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
Industrial hemp – a new competitive crop entering the market?
For its sustainability and versatility, hemp stands out among agricultural raw materials, requiring only a fraction of the water necessary for cotton cultivation, boasting a myriad of utilizable components, and surpassing other crops and most trees in its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide per hectare.
According to a recent UNCTAD report, titled Commodities at a glance: Special issue on industrial hemp, highlights that while about 40 countries collectively produced approximately 275,000 tonnes of raw or semi-processed industrial hemp in 2019, more than half of the global output originates from just four countries: China, France, Canada, and the United States.
The expanding market for industrial hemp not only presents economic opportunities for developing countries but also holds vast potential across various sectors, including agriculture, textiles, recycling, automotive, furniture, food and beverages, paper, construction materials, and personal care.
Hemp’s adaptability to various climates, ability to thrive in lands unsuitable for other crops, and soil-replenishing qualities make it an ideal crop for sustainable development. Additionally, incorporating hemp into crop rotation has been shown to increase wheat yields by 10% to 20%.
NWG’s AMPLIFY variant entering 2024 commercialization
Unlike other crops that generate substantial waste and pollution, hemp’s versatility allows for the utilization of all its parts, minimizing environmental impact. Developing countries, in particular, could establish sustainable production chains by harnessing all components of the hemp plant, fostering growth in rural areas and promoting economic diversification.
The motivation behind developing AMPLIFY lies in the inherent challenges faced by new crops entering the market. Especially in times of tight commodity markets, it becomes crucial for novel crops to not just compete but surpass traditional crops, offering increased profits and incentives for farmers to embrace the learning curve associated with cultivating a new crop.
The AMPLIFY hybrid technology is scheduled for rollout in 2024 with NWG’s strategic partners, followed by widespread availability in the 2025 season.
New West Genetics
Worldwide frontrunner in hemp seed genetics, integrating traditional breeding, genomics, and agribusiness knowledge. In 2024 they announced commercialization of a new hemp seed variety called NWG AMPLIFY, showcasing a non-GMO hybrid trait and genetic gender skew, resulting in a twofold increase in yields.
