Regular seeds are used by professional cannabis growers to breed new hybrids. Since these plants contain both male and female genetics they need to pollinate the flowers with male pollen in order to get new genetic crosses.
Compared to feminized seeds, regular cannabis seeds are less prone to hermaphroditism due to stress or bad genetics. They also offer more diversity in phenotypes, which is why these seeds are in high demand by experts in the field.
Breeding
Regular seed can be used for breeding cannabis strains, which is a process of crossing two plants that are genetically different. This can be a great way to create a new strain with a specific phenotype or characteristic that you love.
Regular seeds can be a useful tool for breeders as they can germinate into male or female marijuana plants. These plants can then be crossed with another seed to produce offspring.
The first generation of offspring produced by this crossing is referred to as an F1 seed. The F1 seeds can be a good choice for breeders that want to produce a new lineage or stable IBL, without having to go through the hassle of reversing or sexing seeds.
The main benefit of breeding with regular seeds is that they are less expensive than feminized seeds. This makes them ideal for growers who are on a budget and need to save money when growing their cannabis.
Cloning
Cloning is the process of generating a genetically identical copy of a cell or organism, asexually through binary fission or budding. This is how most multicellular organisms replicate themselves.
The only exception to cloning are the gametes (eggs and sperm), which undergo a genetic recombination process to produce an embryo. Although cloning may be useful for some applications, some people fear it might threaten family ties.
In a plant, clones are simply rootless branches that grow from the stem of a mother plant. They require a lot of energy to develop a root system that will support new growth and photosynthesis once they are transplanted into your garden.
Cloning is a great way to preserve the characteristics and growing traits you discover in your favorite cannabis strains from one generation to the next. However, not all cannabis plants are suitable subjects for cloning, and the plant’s genetics will vary from one clone to another.
Pollination
Pollination is a complex process in which pollen grains from the male anther of a flower are transferred to the female stigma to complete fertilization. The transfer of pollen grains is a key part of plant reproduction and is an essential part of a plant’s ability to produce seeds.
Across millions of years, plants and pollinators have evolved physical traits and behaviors that enhance their pollination efforts. This results in a complex interaction between the two participants that can be beneficial or detrimental to the plant and its overall success.
Regardless of the complexities of pollination, both plants and pollinators benefit from it. Adaptations in both plant and pollinator species result from natural selection, including flowering times that decrease competition among pollinators for the same food source.
Yield
A pound of average-sized seed that has 80% germination and emergence has a yield potential of approximately 1.5 bushels of corn per acre. This number can vary based on planting conditions, such as how the seeds were planted and what type of soil was in the field.
The number of kernels on each ear can also affect the yield. Kernels near the butt or tip end of the ear are often large and contribute to the yield, while those near the bottom are small and do not.
Many seed treatments help optimize these last two variables of the yield equation by promoting healthy, vigorous seedling emergence. Seed treatments also help protect the seed against early-season stresses. For example, fungicides and insecticides that prevent diseases can help keep the crop healthy and strong. In addition, a good seed treatment helps control seedling senescence and minimizes weeds. These factors can lead to higher yields and lower costs.
