- Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) announced the discovery of PM2, a new source of genetic resistance for cannabis plants against powdery mildew
- The company is experimenting with powdery-mildew-resistant cultivars for a potential commercial launch in 2025
- Aurora is a global cannabis company serving both the medical and consumer markets across Canada, Europe, Australia and South America
- Aurora Cannabis stock has added 27.91 per cent year-over-year but remains down by 94.76 per cent since 2020
Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) announced the discovery of PM2, a new source of genetic resistance for cannabis plants against powdery mildew, a common industry risk that can wipe out 10-15 per cent of a crop when it arises.
“This discovery offers a critical solution to a pressing challenge in the cannabis industry worldwide,” Lana Culley, vice president of innovation and international operations at Aurora, said in a statement. “At Aurora Coast, our state-of-the-art research and development facility, we continuously search for ways to add value to our proprietary cannabis cultivars, and this discovery will lead to new means of managing disease in cannabis production. This success story underscores the impact of our investment in scientific excellence, a commitment that sets Aurora apart from our competitors.”
The proprietary PM2, which the company describes as a genetic marker technology, is now in use in Aurora’s breeding program to produce powdery-mildew-resistant cultivars for a potential commercial launch in 2025.
According to Jose Celedon, principal scientist of breeding and genetics at Aurora, and the lead researcher behind PM2, the company is tapping into an area with a long-term value proposition, as “breeding genetic resistance to economically important crop diseases is the most sustainable strategy for disease management and enhancing agricultural and horticultural productivity, particularly where the application of synthetic pesticides is prohibited.”
Aurora will explore applications for PM2 to improve biosecurity and product quality, as well as reduce production costs, expanding its focus on what Thursday’s news release describes as “surpass[ing] traditional breeding limitations.”
About Aurora Cannabis
Aurora is a global cannabis company serving both the medical and consumer markets across Canada, Europe, Australia and South America. Its brand portfolio includes Drift, San Rafael ’71, Daily Special, Tasty’s, Being, Greybeard, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Aurora, Whistler Medical Marijuana Co., Pedanios, IndiMed and CraftPlant.
Aurora Cannabis stock (TSX:ACB) is up by 5.43 per cent trading at C$6.60 per share as of 9:44 am ET. The stock has added 27.91 per cent year-over-year but remains down by 94.76 per cent since 2020.
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