A Belated Green Revolution for Cannabis: Virtual Genetic Resources to Fast-Track Cultivar Development
REVIEW published: 29 July 2016 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01113 A Belated Green Revolution for Cannabis: Virtual Genetic Resources to Fast-Track Cultivar Development Matthew T. Welling 1, Tim Shapter 1, 2, Terry J. Rose 1, Lei Liu 1, Rhia Stanger 1 and Graham J. King 1* 1 Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia, 2 Ecofibre Industries Operations Pty Ltd, Maleny, QLD, Australia Cannabis is a predominantly diecious phenotypically diverse domesticated genus with few if any extant natural populations. International narcotics conventions and associated legislation have constrained the establishment, characterization, and use of Cannabis genetic resource collections. This has resulted in the underutilization of genepool variability in cultivar development and has limited the inclusion of secondary genepools associated with genetic improvement strategies of the Green Revolution. The structured screening of ex situ germplasm and the exploitation of locally-adapted intraspecific traits is expected to facilitate the genetic improvement Edited by: Jaime Prohens, of Cannabis. However, limited attempts have been made to establish the full extent of Polytechnic University of Valencia, genetic resources available for pre-breeding. We present a thorough critical review of Spain Cannabis ex situ genetic resources, and discuss recommendations for conservation, Reviewed by: pre-breeding characterization, and genetic analysis that will underpin future cultivar Ryan C. Lynch, University of Colorado Boulder, USA development. We consider East Asian germplasm to be a priority for conservation Giuseppe Mandolino, based on the prolonged historical cultivation of Cannabis in this region over a range Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Italy of latitudes, along with the apparent high levels of genetic diversity and relatively *Correspondence: low representation in published genetic resource collections.
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