An Australian research team aims to develop next-generation hemp genetics through a grant awarded by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
Rachel Burton, from the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, received the AU$513,272 (~€320,000; ~$380,000) grant to support an initiative that will probe the potential for new hemp grain varieties. The group said it intends to develop varieties for grain production that will be strong oil producers, drought resistant and express minimum THC levels.
The Australian Hemp and Seed Company is a partner in the project, “Pioneering seed solutions for the industrial hemp industry,” which is supported by the university’s Waite Research Institute.
The grant, from ARC’s Linkage Program, is among those given the university to undertake research on projects in the meat, hemp, mining and performing arts industries. ARC’s Linkage Program is designed to advance partnerships among researchers and industry, community organizations and other publicly funded research agencies.
