Origins and evolution of Marijuana seeds strains
The most popular theory of the evolution of cannabis is that all cannabis originated in the Himalayas and with human help spread gradually throughout the world. Under varying human and environmental pressures cannabis has evolved into all ends of the environmental spectrum from low THC long fibered hemp strains via high thc smaller and tough Indicas to big, tall bushes of mind twisting African Sativas. Those distinctive characteristics were reproduced in marijuana seeds for hundreds of generations B.C.
Latitude has definitely played a key role in this matter, influencing THC levels as well as ratios of THC to CBD. Most marijuana strains originate between 37° North and 35° South of the equator, with some of the highest quality marijuana seeds strains coming from very near the equator (most notable Southeast Asia at 10-20° North) where lots of sunlight energy and general plant competition made them differ and strenghten their species distinctive features like thc trichomes which are the plant protective sticky hair.
The evolution of the cannabis plant's unique trichome is debated. Most likely, the cannabis plant developed such large and numerous trichomes because it is a wind pollinated plant, and trichomes of THC are very sticky, thus aiding in pollen collection. This can be observed most effectively in female cannabis plants that have been deprived of male pollen. In order to increase her chances of fertilization via windborne pollen, the female cannabis plant devotes her energy into calyx and trichome production, creating larger, stickier buds.
However, the intercession of humans in the natural selection process has rapidly accelerated the favoring of genotypes that produce copious amounts of THC-laden trichomes with every new generation of cannabis seeds genetics. In addition, THC has very high UV-B absorption properties, thus cannabis evolution may have favored the evolution of genotypes that produced these THC laden capitate-stalked trichomes as a built in 'sun-screen' for protection against UV-B light rays.
As you get up into the more Northern latitudes (like Russia), cultivated and feral cannabis leans more towards the hemp end of the spectrum, with low THC and high CBD. This makes the job of maintaining marijuana seeds varieties outdoors at common North American latitudes of 44-50° North a little more complicated. Without selection for high THC parents, pure strain marijuana can drift towards phenotypes of its hempen cousins, just because it hasn't got as many natural insect enemiest to fight off with hair and thc resin and because in a low light environment a plant has to produce longer stem and more leaves to absorb precious light.
Put simply, as the latitude is not exerting pressure on the gene pool to uphold its high THC traits, human influence must step in by diligently selecting the most potent plants as seed parents for future generations. Legendary strains like bread outdoors in Alaska Matanuska Thunderfuck and Friesland Indica grown outdoors for Northern Holland are living proof that this high THC trait can be maintained at Northern latitudes if multiple strain lines are cared for and crossed for many marijuana seeds generations.
To achieve high thc content in colder climates open pollination and collecting seeds from many different plants then mixing them together, must be avoided, because such natural breeding techniques serve mainly for strain evolutionary acclimatization. Nothern strains need to be often crossed with higher thc strains and than acclimatized and inbreeded to achieve desired high thc levels.
Continue reading here: Super Skunk Marijuana Seeds
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