AMPLIFY® Hybrid Trait
AMPLIFY is a genetic trait that doubles grain yields and increases stalk uniformity.
The scientists at NWG developed a breakthrough genetic trait that creates industrial hemp populations with up to 100% female plants; rather than the typical 50%. Since female plants produce all the oilseed and the best performing fiber, AMPLIFY increases grain yields, and in some hybrids 2x or more.
This novel trait is economizing the production of valuable hemp products along the supply chain, from growers to consumers, by offering the scalability and ease of a high yielding rotational crop production. AMPLIFY was created through a genetic skewing of gender, which, in concert with hybrid vigor, results in double yields. AMPLIFY is not a chemically induced skew like that used to create feminized seed.
“New West Genetics has identified and bred a genetic trait that creates a fully female crop, and works in all genetic backgrounds tested. This makes hybrid seed production possible, with known females and pollen donors, and when growers plant the resulting seed, it makes a fully female crop, doubling grain production per acre. AMPLIFY is one of those rare changes that come along only every few decades – it’s transformative.”
Daphne Preuss, Catalytical Inc.
Why make hybrids with the AMPLIFY trait?
New crops have many hurdles to market, and it is essential for new crops to compete with and out-perform traditional crops. This allows increased profits and incentives for farmers to take on the learning curve of growing a new crop.
Hemp as a species is ancestrally genetically dioecious, producing 50% male, and 50% female. The females produce all the grain and flower, and males shed pollen to induce seed set in the females. Its common practice in cannabinoid markets to induce greater female percentage through chemical means (hopefully 100%, though the species is finicky and loves to revert to its ancestral state).
I want to highlight how impressive the NWG AMPLIFY genetics look in the variety trials at the University of Kentucky. Not only do they appear consistent with resilience and high-yields, but their state-of-the-art genetic development holds the potential to unlock the economic barrier that has hindered hemp from becoming the leading cash crop in America’s new bio-based economy.
Chad Rosen, Victory Hemp Foods
AMPLIFY is a hybrid trait that genetically skews the ratio of female plants.
The hybrid vigor doubles grain and flower yield, as well as increases the uniformity of stalks in the field. This dramatic yield increase and uniformity allows hemp grain to compete with traditional oil-seeds, plant proteins, and bio-materials, opening the door to adoption for food, feed, fiber, and sustainable fuels markets.
The AMPLIFY hybrid trait shows strong heterosis with increased uniformity and vigor, resulting in additional risk mitigation, ease of harvest, and bump for yields. Timeline for commercialization:
2023: Initial seed production, variety demonstration across the US, and AOSCA certification approval. Released to strategic partners.
2024: Widely commercially available.
2025: AMPLIFY 10 & AMPLIFY 12 widely commercially available.
Substantial acreage must be contracted one year prior to commercial season. Existing customers of NWG ABOUND® varieties have preferred access to the AMPLIFY trait.
AMPLIFY hybrid trait approved by AOSCA for Certified seed status
This approval represents the first industrial hemp hybrids to be recognized by the AOSCA Variety Review Board. NWG hybrid varieties are the result of a patent-pending genetic trait called AMPLIFY, a genetic gender skew defined by the presence of approximately 90% female plants and 10% male plants.
Read the announcement to learn more.
Top Yielding, US Bred Hemp Seed
The best farmers don’t grow the biggest crop they grow the most economical crop. AMPLIFY hybrid hemp varieties offer a more vigorous crop that uses irrigation, fertility and climate conditions more efficiently than other varieties.
Wilson Johnson, Blue Sky Hemp Ventures
Hybrids with the AMPLIFY trait begin the transformation of hemp as a small acre specialty crop to a large-scale, commercially competitive hybrid crop.
AMPLIFY means:
- More ROI for farmers.
- More competitive price points for processors.
- More hemp products for consumers.
AMPLIFY is a win-win for hemp!
The AMPLIFY trait allows our seed producers to efficiently multiply seed at scale, unlike with traditional chemically feminized seed. This edge makes it possible for the industry to market hemp as a viable alternative to traditional protein and healthy oil sources.
Wendy Mosher, New West Genetics
