Genome-specific association study for exploration of variability in hemp

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multi-purpose crop. Hemp is genetically diverse, which can make research and agriculture challenging. In this new study, Susanne Schilling (UCD) and her team in collaboration with Kazusa DNA Research Institute (Japan) were able to use the genetic variability of a single plant to gain insights into genetic loci important for agricultural traits by developing a novel mapping method, genome-specific association study (GSAS).

Unlike traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) or quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, which require extensive cultivar diversity or multi-generational inbreeding, GSAS enables genetic trait mapping within a single generation. By focusing on an S1 population derived from a self-pollinated, heterozygous hemp plant, researchers identified single nucleotide variants and haplotypes associated with traits such as plant height, biomass yield, stem diameter, and flowering time. The study also points out the extensive phenotypic variability in the S1 population, highlighting the vast potential contained in the genetic variability of hemp.  

GSAS pinpointed genetic markers that influence these key agricultural traits, paving the way for marker-assisted selection and accelerated breeding of hemp cultivars with desirable characteristics. Beyond hemp, this GSAS approach could revolutionize breeding strategies for other highly heterozygous crops, such as fruit and vegetable species with limited genetic research. By streamlining trait identification and reducing breeding complexity, GSAS represents a significant advancement in crop science, offering a pathway to more productive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural systems.

The article can be found (opens in a new window)here