In constant struggle for the regulation of cannabis, mainly in the medicinal field.
29-07-2024 06:53:10 - Updated: 29 July, 2024
The technological revolution is touching every corner of our lives, and the cannabis industry is no exception. Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to transform the way we cultivate and develop new weed strains, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency. In this article, we explore how AI can radically change the genetic landscape of cannabis, providing innovative tools to predict and improve the offspring of crosses.
🏹 Trait Prediction with AI: The Future is Here
Advanced Genetic Analysis
The traditional process of developing new weed strains is a game of guesswork and predictions, where growers experiment with different genetic combinations and observe the results over several generations. However, AI is changing this approach by enabling advanced genetic analysis. Using deep learning algorithms, AI can analyze large genetic databases to identify patterns in the inheritance of specific traits. This allows for more accurate predictions of how these traits will manifest in the offspring.
Predictive Models
AI can simulate multiple generations of plants in a matter of minutes, providing a clear vision of how certain traits could be fixed over time. This ability to model the genetic future of a strain not only accelerates the selection process but also significantly reduces the time and resources needed to develop new varieties.
Until now, there was no way to forecast how the offspring of a cross would turn out until testing it, but thanks to AI, this will change. We can all imagine what the resulting strain will be like, but we often fall into the same error as when imagining the cross of two dog breeds, right? How would a Chihualmata look? Surely a cross between a Dalmatian and a Chihuahua would have the Chihuahua’s morphology but with the Dalmatian’s colors, that’s what usually comes to mind, but it often isn’t the case, and it might end up with the Dalmatian’s ears and snout, but smaller and with colors that combine both breeds.
👾 Improving the Selection Process: Optimization and Efficiency
Optimal Parent Selection
Thanks to AI, growers can identify the best candidates for crossing based on their genetic profiles and desired characteristics. This optimizes the selection of parental plants, increasing the likelihood of obtaining offspring with desired traits, such as specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles, or greater disease resistance.
Automated Phenotyping
With the integration of advanced sensors and cameras, AI can perform automated phenotyping, evaluating the physical characteristics of plants accurately and quickly. This includes height, trichome density, leaf color and shape, and other visible traits that are indicators of the plant’s health and quality.
🎯 Practical Applications: Towards More Efficient and Personalized Cannabis
Development of Personalized Medical Strains
AI can help develop specific strains for particular medical conditions, adjusting the levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids to maximize therapeutic effects. This could revolutionize the use of medicinal cannabis, providing more effective and personalized treatments. If we know that some cannabinoids like CBN have sedative properties, and on the other hand, we already know that some terpenes like linalool also have them, why not create strains that contain both and can be ideal for treating issues like insomnia? Now with AI, this can be done quickly.
Pest and Disease Resistance
By identifying and selecting genes that confer resistance to common pests and diseases, AI can help develop more robust strains that are less dependent on pesticides and fungicides. This not only improves crop yield but is also more environmentally friendly.
📢 Future and Potential: Beyond Imagination
Blockchain for Genetic Transparency
Combining AI with blockchain technology could create a transparent and secure system to track the genetics of each strain, from the initial cross to the final plant. This would ensure the authenticity and purity of the strains, protecting both growers and consumers. If we also consider the genome registry of many strains as Phylos Bioscience has, we can ensure that each cross descends from the variety it claims to come from.
Automation of the Crossing Process
In the future, fully automated laboratories could use AI to manage the entire crossing and selection process, from pollination to offspring evaluation. This would allow the creation of new strains with unprecedented speed and precision.
❤️ Conclusions and Pevgrow’s Opinion
Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize cannabis genetics, making the development of new strains more precise, efficient, and personalized. This technology not only promises to accelerate the advancement of cannabis science but also opens the door to a more sustainable and optimized cultivation era. At Pevgrow, we are excited to see how these innovations will transform our industry and improve the experience of growers and consumers alike. Some people may see this as a negative thing, but we believe that you can’t fight against human evolution, and it seems that artificial intelligence will change the world completely, and cannabis genetics will be no exception. Imagine being able to create strains to order, with the flavor, effect, yield, resistance, adaptability, or bud color that you like the most… Doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
Incredible to discover that AI can help create new strains of marijuana! Thank you, PEV.