F1 hybrid seeds: an alternative to traditional materials

Added on 06 November 2024

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F1 hybrid seeds: an alternative to traditional materials

Photo Courtesy of Cultivators

F1 Seed Tech is an Eindhoven-based breeding company specializing in the development of F1 hybrid seeds for cannabis. The main breeding station is based in Oregon (US), where the company’s day-neutral varieties are developed. Since 2020, F1 Seed Tech has also had another breeding station located in Israel, established specifically to breed short-day varieties. Their F1 hybrid seeds can be used for all growing environments, ranging from large-scale outdoor grows to top-of-the-line indoor facilities. The company’s warehouse and QA department are located in Barcelona, where the seeds are screened, tested for germination strength, and stored under optimal conditions. F1 Seed Tech brings to the table an experienced team consisting of academic researchers and industry professionals who earned their stripes in the vegetable industry.

Cultivators interviewed Andreu Francés, known as Andreu the researcher to colleagues, and Head of Applied Science at F1 Seed Tech. Andreu holds an MSc in Plant Sciences and worked as a grapevine researcher in a tissue culture lab at the Preservation and Improvement of Valencian Agro-diversity University Research Institute (COMAV) before joining F1 Seed Tech five years ago. “My main responsibilities at F1 Seed Tech include supporting the breeding activities in Israel and Oregon, conducting basic research activities, and overseeing external trials such as those at Wageningen University, CRIC, and CfC.”

Andreu shared why F1 Seed Tech joined CfC; “Our primary interest is collaboration with other companies in the cannabis industry that are active globally. We want to demonstrate that F1 hybrid seeds provide a stronger starting material than clones and traditional seeds. Besides collaboration, we wanted to test and research new varieties. As a breeding company, we are constantly developing new varieties, and our goal is to refine our cultivation strategies and learn how different parameters can influence our plants. We then use this newly gained knowledge to advise our customers that is rooted in practical science”.

Alongside the advantages of testing their varieties in the CfC greenhouse, F1 Seed Tech gains valuable visibility and recognition as part of the consortium. “ “CfC is an ideal showcase location where we can display our varieties to CfC partners and potential customers. We also have several events each year where we can connect with different companies to exchange knowledge and expertise. We have established new connections with several companies we had not previously worked with”.

F1 Seed Tech is set to transform the industry. Currently, the market relies on cuttings and traditional seeds. However, F1 Seed Tech provides a new category of starting material that is more efficient, enables professional production, and improves yield. The use of F1 hybrid seeds is already common in most other horticultural crops, and it’s only a matter of time before the cannabis industry also adopts the increased vigor and stable output of F1 hybrid seeds. As Andreu explains: “I believe we are the first company that created F1 hybrid seeds in cannabis. We are frontrunners, at least five years ahead of the competition. We envision that F1 Seed Tech will dominate the starting material market within ten years. We believe that there will be a transition from cuttings to seeds, as with vegetables”.

Andreu also had some interesting news to share; “We plan to test short-day F1 hybrid seeds at CfC in 2025. This will provide a 100% comparison between traditional methods and the new F1 hybrid seeds. Besides short-day varieties, we will continue to develop more advanced day-neutral varieties with higher yield, more cannabinoids, and unique terpene profiles!”.

To wrap up the interview, Andreu summarized, “We like the unique opportunities CfC offers! Here, we are really developing a product. All partners come together to discuss and work together on actual cultivation. We are happy to provide the starting material and to be part of the CfC”.

Well, they could not agree more! Thank you Andreu for giving them some insights into F1 Seed Tech. And a big thank you to their readers, they hope you will join them for their next article!

Would you like more information about F1 Seed Tech? Click here to visit their website.