Before feminized seed technology was invented, regular seeds were the way to go. They offer pure cannabis genetics formed by breeding male and female parent plants that produce approx. 50% male and female offspring.
These seeds grow into strains like Blueberry, which smells like ripe blueberries and delivers traditional indica earthiness with effects that soothe the mind and body.
Breeding
When seeds are left to grow as nature intended they can emerge as either male or female plants. This allows breeders to create new cultivars as well as superior clones.
Breeding has changed over time from farm-based, community seed networks and sharing of locally adapted landraces to more goal-driven and science-based activity within corporate firms concentrating on crops or phenotypes that deliver the most profit (Wirz et al. 2017). More work needs to be done on designing models of seed and plant breeding that focus on cultural, economic, and common good goods rather than solely on maximizing profits.
When it comes to growing regular seeds it is important for growers to keep in mind that about 50% of the seeds will germinate and produce male plants. This is not a problem as long as there is adequate sexing and culling, but it can be frustrating for some growers who prefer to purchase feminized seeds. For this reason some growers choose to plant a few regular seeds with their feminized ones, so they can account for any male plants that need to be culled.
Cloning
Clones offer a more controlled growth process and quicker results but they require more knowledge and skill than seeds. A grower’s level of expertise determines whether clones or seeds are best for their garden. Beginners will find that seeds are a more forgiving growing option, while veteran growers prefer the control that comes with clones.
Cloning is the reproduction method used by plants, fungi, and some animals. It is a type of asexual reproduction and produces genetically identical offspring.
Clones typically have a fibrous root system that lacks the larger taproot of a seed plant. The roots also tend to grow closer together than those of a seed plant, and they can be prone to root rot. This study evaluated the effect of varying cutting tools, stem wounding, and lighting conditions on the rate at which clones produced roots. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the effects of each factor, and cultivar interactions were included as well.
Genetic Stability
Demonstration of genetic stability for traits introduced into a plant genome through GE approaches is an important component of the safety assessment of biotech crops. Regulatory bodies around the world request this information for their approval processes. Stability analyses are typically performed at the DNA level, but some authorities also require evaluation at the mRNA and protein levels.
To test the genetic stability of a new seed variety, we used pedigrees to analyze NER gene expression in Phaseolus vulgaris seeds at different developmental stages. NER genes are known to have a role in seed longevity by repairing damage caused by imbibition, light and pathogens.
The resulting data indicated that the inserted DNA sequences transmitted to subsequent generations in a Mendelian pattern and were stable for all traits calculated. The CHO master sequences displayed stable copy numbers and had non-hybridizing ends, characteristics that indicate functional telomeric structures. Results generated from mean squares related to environments and genotype X environment were highly significant for all estimated traits and confirmed the high genetic stability for the entries.
Organic
When it comes to growing our fruits, veggies and flowers, organic seed is a great choice. It costs more, but it allows us to avoid chemical traces from genetically modified seeds and ensures our crops are grown and harvested with sustainable practices.
Unlike regular seed, organic seeds must be nurtured and harvested under strict regulations, ensuring the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetically modified materials is prohibited. The use of these materials not only causes soil degradation and pollution but also contaminates water supplies.
The survey included a total of 749 European organic farmers from 20 countries who completed the online questionnaire. Results show that farmers with a higher production orientation use more organic seed (p = 0.0134). Organic seed use decreases linearly with farm size, while there is no significant difference by regional location. This may reflect the fact that the availability of organic seed is often limited. It is therefore necessary to support farmers and the seed certification agencies in the search for seed suppliers.
