New crop on the block: The genetic control of hempseed nutritional quality. Hempseed, which is rich in polyunsaturated oils and high-quality protein, is emerging as a functional food crop across Austr

Description

New crop on the block: The genetic control of hempseed nutritional quality. Hempseed, which is rich in polyunsaturated oils and high-quality protein, is emerging as a functional food crop across Australia. However, very little is known about the genetic control of oil and protein contents and composition, crucial characteristics for the optimization of hempseed productivity and quality for the Australian industry. A unique genetic resource of 120 diverse hemp accessions, many provided by our industry partner, will be used to define the genetics underpinning nutritional variation and associated genotype-by-environment interactions. This fundamental knowledge will lay the foundation for targeted breeding and best management practice, for the benefit of farmers, the hemp industry and health-conscious consumers.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 0703 - Crop and Pasture Production. Lead: Prof Tobias Kretzschmar