Projects

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CRISPR/Cas-9 Hemp at C.G.E.L.

As a student research technition at the Crop Genome Editing Institute, I was involved with the conduction biotechnology protocols on hemp and maininting plant health in Conviron growth chambers. During this time, I learned the optimization of DNA isolation protocols, gene bombardment, GUS assay, tissue culture (TC) acclimation, and more pertaining to hemp. As hemp is a relativly new crop involved in academic research, optimizing protocols to hemp is intricate and neccassary for the innvoation of the hemp/Cannabis industry. I was in change of maintaining a variety of hemp cultivars in four Conviroin growth chambers involving both vegetative and flowering conditions. Ensuring the health of plants throughout TC acclimation, propagation, biotechnology applications, and thoughout maturity was neccary for the success of the project.

Articles pertaining CRISPR/Cas-9 Hemp at C.G.E.L.

Texas A&M AgriLife, Partners Achieve Stable Transformation In Industrial HempResearchers aim to eliminate the psychoactive compound Delta-9 THC in hemp plants.

USDA Approves Low-THC Hemp Plants for U.S. Production, BreedingA team of researchers and scientists have created what can be thought of as diet hemp plants, or plants that have been modified to produce less THC than the minimal amount hemp plants already do.

www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2023/hemp-rsr

Trichome Microscopy

At the Industrial Hemp Breeding Program, I have been involved in optimizing a method to determine Cannabis flowering maturity rates and high-throughput phenotyping for qualities such as anythocyanins. This method involves analyzing stigma and trichome senescence to determine maturity as well as observation of phenotypes for breeding selections. I have presented on this research at the 2022 and upcoming 2023 Texas Hemp Summit as well as the 2023 ASA/CSSA/SSA International Annual Conference.

Pollen Exclusion Tents containing Female and Male Hemp plants.

Male Hemp Plant Dehising Pollen

Hemp Breeding - Seed Expansion

In the Industrial Hemp Breeding Program I have been responsible for making breeding selections, inbreeding, and expanding seed counts for multiple private industry Cannabis sativa L. companies. These projects have included making plant selections based upon preferred cultivar morphology (industrial fiber, oil seed, or cannabinoid production). Selected plants are placed into Pollen Exclusion Tents (wire mesh <15microns wide) to ensure desired cultivar crosses or inbreeding. The plants are harvested, threshed for seed, and sent back to the private company.

ARP Research summary_microalgae.pptx

Microalgea Effect on Hemp

A study conducted with horticulture Ph.D student Runshi Xie measured the effect of microalgae on germination, vigor, and biomass accumulation in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Embryo Seed Rescue

Conducted embryo rescue procedures on old, improperly stored hemp seed. Procedure included utilizing horse solumtion imbibing, oxygen imbibing, envrinomental influence such as temperature, and excising the hemp seed embryo.

Hemp Field Trials

Selection of hemp plants in Texas field conditions ranging from locations in College Station, Galveston, and Beaumont. Plants were involved with projects pertaining to inbreeding for genetic homozygosity and polyploidy induction for increased fiber and seed size. Hemp fields were managed via hand planting, drip irrigation, manual and mechanication tilling, field fertilization applications.

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