I’ve heard that inbreeding depression can be a problem when breeding cannabis plants. What steps can I take to prevent inbreeding depression from occurring in my breeding program?
One answer “How do I prevent inbreeding depression?”
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Inbreeding depression is a term used to describe the reduced fertility and vigor of plants caused by the mating of closely related individuals within a given population. It is quite common in cannabis breeding programs, as most strains within a particular strain family are closely related and detailed record-keeping is often not kept.
If you’re looking to prevent inbreeding depression from occurring in your breeding program, there are a few important steps that you can take.
First and foremost, it is absolutely essential that you maintain detailed record-keeping of your breeding program. Record the names of parents, the date of flowering and harvest, phenotypic characteristics, and any other relevant information. These records will help you identify closely related plants and avoid inbreeding depression.
Another important step is to introduce new genetic material into your breeding program in order to reduce the chance of inbreeding depression. By introducing new genetic material into your breeding program, you can reduce the chances of closely related parents mating and producing offspring that are likely to experience reduced fertility and vigor. Working with plant material from outside seedbanks or getting seeds directly from growers can be helpful in this respect.
Finally, don’t be afraid to cull plants that show signs of inbreeding depression. Inbreeding depression can be reversed, albeit slowly, through backcrossing and introgression, but it’s always best to avoid it in the first place. If your breeding program is to succeed, any plants that show signs of inbreeding depression should be eliminated.
Inbreeding depression is an all-too-common problem in cannabis breeding programs, but with a few simple steps it can be avoided or mitigated. By maintaining detailed records, introducing new genetic material into your program, and culling any plants that show signs of inbreeding depression, you can keep your program healthy and avoid the negative consequences of inbreeding depression.