Biotechnology And Omics In Industrial Hemp: A Pathway To A Sustainable Bioeconomy

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa, sativa L.) stands as a pivotal crop in the quest for a sustainable bioeconomy due to its immense environmental and economic promise. Although significant advances have been made, many agronomically valuable traits are yet to be stabilized in existing cultivars, and the complete utilization of potential hemp products remains unfulfilled. Cutting-edge approaches in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics offer pathways to unravel the genetic potential of hemp, providing the tools for more focused breeding strategies. Concurrently, biotechnologies hold great potential for maximizing the value of hemp products and by-products, thereby enhancing profitability, sustainability, and broadening the scope of hemp cultivation. Over the past two decades, research into industrial hemp has significantly expanded, yet an organized synthesis of this knowledge and the biotechnological advancements will be crucial for steering forthcoming research toward more robust and resilient production systems, and fostering a hemp-driven bioeconomy.

This Research Topic aims to collect research articles and reviews highlighting critical traits of hemp and enhancing product valorization. Emphasis will be placed on the utilization of omics approaches in exploring hemp genetics, physiology, and ecology, alongside biotechnological innovations aimed at genetic improvement and product exploitation. The primary objective is to identify which aspects of hemp still warrant further exploration and to assess which current technologies are poised to facilitate its comprehensive utilization, thereby underpinning a circular and sustainable bioeconomy.

To deepen our understanding of industrial hemp's current research landscape, we welcome contributions across various formats, including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini Reviews, with a particular focus on omics approaches. We invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

- Genomes and pangenomes
- Sexual reproduction, flowering, and flower fertility
- Fruit set, abscission, and seed vigor
- Biotic and abiotic stress tolerance
- Impact of the crop on soil physiology or microbiology
- Non-cannabinoid secondary compounds
- Biotechnologies for the genetic enhancement of hemp
- Biotechnologies for the sustainable valorization of hemp products, by-products, and wastes

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: industrial hemp, plant biotechnology, omics technologies, sustainable bioeconomy, genetic improvement

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.