06/07/2024
EXSITU C. AFGHANICA INDIGENOUS LANDRACE BIODIVERSITY REGENERATION PROJECT is underway ~ We’re Up & Running! ⚡️💦🌱
https://motorcityseeds.org/landrace-biodiversity-regeneration-project/
OUR MISSION & CALL TO ACTION:
The mission of our Landrace Biodiversity Regeneration project is to help reverse genetic erosion and restore biodiversity of the global cannabis gene pool by preserving & regenerating genetic diversity of 4 historically- & genetically-significant indigenous heirloom cannabis varieties.
These 4 indigenous heirloom cannabis varieties have been carefully preserved & maintained since 1987, and represent some of the last surviving original pure (undiluted-genetics) seedlines from one of cannabis’s two main primary gene pools. These precious genetic treasures are now in threatened status aka of critical conservation concern, due to widespread genetic erosion (of global cannabis gene pool), external contamination/dilution of local landrace indigenous genetics, and the recent initiation of large-scale wild cannabis eradication program by new local regime in the indigenous native regions. However, time is running out: our strain preservationist is unable to continue working the seedlines, only a small amount of foundation stock / original genetics (seeds) remain which are aging to the end of their lifespan/viability. Strain preservationist ExSitu has asked the cannabis community (& Motor City Seeds) to step up and help continue preserving these precious heirloom cannabis genetics seedlines. And thus the Landrace Biodiversity Regeneration Project was born!
THE INDIGENOUS LANDRACE STRAINS / GENETICS:
* Jalalabad Star (from Salang Pass region / Afghanistan)
* Chitral Precious (from Mingora Swat region / Pakistan)
* Pakistan Treasure (from Balochistan / Khyber Pass region / Pakistan)
* Old Thai (preserved since mid-2000’s)
OUR PROJECT:
7 breeding runs, 4 strains, 500 seeds/plants:
4 indoor “Stabilize & Improve” breeding runs (1 per strain) which will produce our new Growers Choice line of seeds, intended for commercial cultivators, caregivers and most hobby/homegrowers. All strains will be selected for powdery mildew/PM resistance and performance in indoor environments. For each strain we’ll be releasing 3 phenos: #1 = selected for early-finishing, #2 selected for high calyx-to-leaf radio, #3 selected for terpene profile/flavor/aroma.
3 outdoor Biodiversity Regeneration breeding runs (all strains except Old Thai): Where the goal of conventional breeding efforts is to attenuate/limit genetic diversity, for the Biodiversity Regeneration runs our goal is to recreate/provide the same natural selective pressures that these genetics would encounter in-the-wild in their native regions/origin habitats, and encourage (via open-pollination) reproductive out-crossing and natural genetic recombination, just like Mother Nature would. These runs will produce our new line of high-genetic-diversity Biodiversity Blend seeds. The technical term for this type of genetically-diverse seedstock is “breeders grex” and will be valuable for breeders and hobbyists hunting for new, unusual and/or unique as-yet-untapped traits. This Breeders Grex / Biodiversity Blend will also help create local landrace genetic refuges/biodiversity sanctuaries and replenish local gene banks including breeder’s original foundation stock (the last of which was generously given up for this project).
SPONSORS & COLLABORATORS:
We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors and collaborators - Teamwork makes the dream work! 💪
Our sponsors:
Teraganix: Supplying Dr. Higa’s original Effective Microorganism formula to regenerative agriculture since 1982. Teraganix is donating EM1 Activation Kits to each of our outdoor Biodiversity Regeneration sites / family farms. 👏 🙏
Collaborators:
* Tsunami Hazard Grown: A Plant Artist Collective (Redwood Forest ecoregion/Humboldt County) is hosting our inaugural Biodiversity Regeneration Run.
* Legacy Ozarks landrace preservation seed company (Ozark Highlands ecoregion) is hosting 2 of our Biodiversity Regeneration runs and our Growers Choice breeding runs.
* ExSitu (a dedicated and highly-regarded cannabis breeder & landrace preservationist) has generously contributed the last of his Foundation Stock seeds on behalf of this project.
* The Da Ma Collective 大麻 (global advisor on cannabis h**p genetics, therapeutics & sustainability / agroecology) is contributing technical & ecological support to our project including new Biodiversity-Friendly Farming agroecology education materials for growers/community.
* Motor City Seeds (cannabis h**p regenerative seedbank whose mission is to promote the conservation & regeneration of genetic diversity, healthy soils and ecosystems) is contributing technical and logistical support to our project.
Pre-orders (including bulk/field-packs), harvest schedules / drop-dates, and Regen Project collectible artwork/gear available soon.
We already have bulk demand for the first Breeders Choice Early Release crop of seeds & pollen - please contact us if you’d like to get on our pre-order waitlist or symbiotically sponsor our work, we welcome financial support and in-kind donations of materials or services that can support/catalyze our project.
United We Stand,
ExSitu C. Afghanica Indigenous Landrace Biodiversity Regeneration Project team
Learn more about our project and Support Our Work @ https://motorcityseeds.org/landrace-biodiversity-regeneration-project/
~ YOU TOO CAN DO A GREAT DEAL FOR BIODIVERSITY 🌎 NO-ONE CAN DO EVERYTHING, EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING ~
**p **pseeds @ https://motorcityseeds.org/landrace-biodiversity-regeneration-project 👈👈👈
