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Dissecting genotype-environment relationships with functional implications for parental selection in Cannabis
Anna Halpin-McCormick1, Robert Thomson2, Robert C Clarke3
1Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.
The Journal of Heredity
|July 12, 2025
Summary
Environmental Genomic Selection (EGS) identified adaptive traits in Cannabis sativa populations. Drug-type feral and basal groups show potential for developing climate-resilient varieties by introgressing flood tolerance and broad environmental resilience traits.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Plant Breeding
- Climate Change Adaptation
Background:
- Climate variability impacts agriculture, necessitating climate-resilient crop varieties.
- Cannabis sativa exhibits global adaptation to diverse environments due to cultivation and naturalization.
- Understanding genetic factors for environmental adaptation is crucial for optimizing breeding strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relationship between Cannabis sativa populations and their environmental conditions using Environmental Genomic Selection (EGS).
- To explore Genomic Estimated Adaptive Values (GEAVs) for identifying parental material adapted to specific climates.
- To characterize marker effects underlying GEAVs to understand local adaptation mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Combined raw data from multiple public sources for 149 Cannabis sativa samples.
- Conducted Environmental Genomic Selection (EGS) analysis.
- Explored Genomic Estimated Adaptive Values (GEAVs) across bioclimatic variables and analyzed individual marker effects within genetic groupings (Basal, Hemp-type, Drug-type feral, Drug-type).
Main Results:
- Distinct GEAV patterns emerged across Cannabis sativa population groups.
- Drug-type feral populations showed broader GEAV ranges, particularly for precipitation, indicating seasonal responses potentially linked to monsoon climates and flood tolerance.
- Basal group exhibited broad GEAV ranges, suggesting value for enhancing environmental resilience.
Conclusions:
- Environmental Genomic Selection (EGS) is an effective method for rapid, climate-conscious parental selection and mechanistic insight.
- Cannabis sativa's genetic diversity, particularly in drug-type feral and basal groups, offers resources for developing climate-resilient varieties.
- Incorporating diverse germplasm is vital for improving Cannabis resilience to changing environmental conditions and future climate challenges.
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