A new Southern Cross University research project is aiming to increase the seed yields of hemp plants by up to fifty per cent, in what could be a game-changer for the industry's productivity and profitability.
The project, looking at naturally occurring variations in the sex determination of hemp plants, has the backing of the Australian Research Council through a $561,251 Linkage grant, with Northern Rivers-based Kavasil Pty Ltd as the industry partner.
Researchers hope it will offer a significant and sustainable boost to the industry with better seed yields and less chemical intervention.
'Swinging both ways – the genetic control of sex expression in hemp LP240200616' will look at characterising the sex-determining genetic factors in low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis genetics, with the aim of modifying male plants so they produce seed as well as pollen.
Hemp is an emerging high-value crop in Australia that produces high-quality edible oils and plant-based protein from seeds.
Typically, hemp has separate male and female plants. While male plants are important for pollination, they don't produce seed, causing low and variable yields.
Low-THC Cannabis is also the natural source of the cannabinoid known as cannabidiol or CBD.
While agrochemicals, such as the plant growth regulator Ethephon can be used to induce female flowers on male plants, Southern Cross University researchers on Kavasil Pty Ltd projects have identified a genetic solution to favourably alter sex expression in plants.
Lead investigator Professor Tobias Kretzschmar said he hopes that this technology could be developed to increase hempseed yields by up to fifty per cent.
"If we can boost seed production, that in turn will boost profitability for farmers and ultimately lower the cost of hempseed products for consumers," he said.
Industry partner Kavasil Pty Ltd focuses on high-value hempseed as a functional food. Founder and Chief Executive Andrew Kavasilas said he was pleased to see the endorsement of hempseed research through the latest grant.
"Increasing yields and predictability will help further develop our capacity to supply the domestic markets and supply chain with high-quality Australian-grown hempseed and related products.
"It's good to see recognition of this work as a crucial research endeavour that will help the broader Cannabis industries focused on superior nutritional value, industrial and medical uses. The benefits to farmers and consumers are clear," he said.
The latest Linkage grant builds on a successful 2022 Linkage bid for a $530,543 grant to advance the University's work on hempseed development with Mr Kavasilas, supporting research into hemp's nutritional and functional properties.
The University has decades of established expertise in hemp and medicinal cannabis science and is proud to be the research lead on the Australian Industrial Hemp Program of Research, a five-year initiative funded by AgriFutures Australia to assist with the growth of the industry.
Key research themes of the Australian Industrial Hemp Program of Research include enhancing hemp germplasm, optimizing agronomic techniques, exploring value adding of hemp seed products, and assessing sustainability criteria of hemp cultivation.
The goal is to support the growth of the Australian hemp industry guided by the Australian Industrial Hemp Strategic Research, Development and Extension Plan (2022–2027) and involves collaboration with various partners, including government departments, other universities, and private enterprises.
Collectively, these efforts aim to position hemp as a viable and environmentally beneficial crop in Australia.
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Play video Video transcript
I'm an associate professor for plant breeding and genetics here at Southern Cross Plant Science.
We're a regional university and both black rice and and hemp are regional crops grown in this region and I think we it's part of our mandate to support the regional industries.
Here we're focusing on niche crops rather than broad commodity crops.
I think we have a competitive advantage in this space, especially in hemp.
At the moment running two projects we have a medicinal cannabis project under a CRC-P with Kaan Group group industry partner out of Victoria and we have a hemp project looking at hemp seed quality that's with the regional industry partner out in Nimbin, Andrew Kavasilas and that's through an ARC Linkage project.
Hemp is an incredibly versatile crop. I'd almost call it a Swiss army knife of crops.
It's a very ancient one too. It's been one of the most early domesticated crops and it's been traditionally used for fibre, food and medicine.
Hemp seed is really rich in omega fatty acids, very balanced too similar quality to fish oil. The protein is rich in essential amino acids, very good for a balanced diet and there's lots of micronutrients as well in the hemp seed.
Cannabis is very rich in cannabinoids and terpenoids and both have medicinal properties that are being more and more streamlined now in traditional but also in alternative medicine.
The demand for black rice because of its nutritional power is growing and Australia has really realised the value of it.
We're working closely together with about a dozen growers in the region.
Rather than growing brown rice which the local farmers tended to be growing, we're trying to switch them to black rice because there's just much higher market value but also higher nutritional benefit in the black rice.
Well rice is a is a staple for about half the world's population so if you if you're changing rice you're changing the world and with that attitude I wanted to make the world a better place.
