TRIPLOID BREEDING: AN INTERVIEW WITH BENJAMIN LIND, CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER, HUMBOLDT SEED COMPANY
Summary – As cannabis gains legal status across the United States, the science of cannabis breeding is rapidly advancing. One groundbreaking area is the development of triploid cannabis plants, which offer numerous advantages over traditional diploid strains. We recently spoke with Benjamin Lind, Co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Humboldt Seed Company, to explore the fascinating world of triploid cannabis and its industry implications. Triploid cannabis breeding is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, with Humboldt Seed Company pioneering this field after discovering a naturally occurring triploid during a phenotype hunt. This finding led to intentional breeding practices aimed at harnessing the unique benefits of triploids.
Triploids, created by crossing a diploid with a tetraploid, have three pairs of chromosomes, setting them apart from diploid and tetraploid cannabis plants. This genetic configuration results in plants that grow and flower faster, exhibit more vigor, and produce frosty, dense buds with exceptional aromas. Triploids may yield higher THC levels and offer significant advantages for extractors, such as increased fresh frozen live rosin production. Home and craft growers can cultivate triploid cannabis with a few adjustments, including earlier flowering cycles and accommodating faster growth. There is also promising evidence that triploids may possess enhanced pest resistance, making them an attractive option for growers. In this exclusive interview, Benjamin Lind sheds light on the exciting developments in triploid cannabis breeding and how triploids are poised to revolutionize cannabis cultivation and production.
