Pink Pepper Breeding
This page outlines South Korea's shift from traditional hemp cultivation to developing high-CBD varieties for medicinal use. In collaboration with Colorado State University Pueblo, Kangwon National University launched a $4 million project to breed optimized hemp strains. This effort resulted in the patented "Pink Pepper" variety, positioning South Korea as a leader in medicinal cannabis research and development.
01
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Hemp in South Korea: A Journey from Textile to Medicine
Cannabis sativa L., a dioecious annual flowering plant, holds a rich history in South Korea, where it was traditionally cultivated for its versatile applications, primarily in textile production. Hemp’s fibrous properties were utilized to create durable materials like hemp cloth, which served as an essential component in cultural practices, such as the crafting of shrouds for burial. Hemp was also widely used in the production of ropes, nets, and other household goods.
Historical Overview
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Ancient and Traditional Agriculture: Records indicate that hemp cultivation in Korea dates back to the pre-Three Kingdoms period, with its use and agricultural techniques advancing significantly during the Joseon Dynasty.
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Japanese Occupation: The Japanese recognized the high quality of Korean hemp fibers and encouraged its cultivation for military supplies and other uses.
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Modern Era: By the mid-20th century, hemp cultivation in South Korea faced strict legal regulations, leading to a decline in its use and the stagnation of related industries.
02
Global Trends and the Rise of Medicinal Hemp
Hemp cultivation has undergone a global resurgence, driven by evolving legal frameworks and increased awareness of its medicinal potential. In the United States, the 2018 Farm Bill reclassified hemp as an agricultural commodity, sparking a significant expansion in its cultivation and applications.
Medicinal Potential of Hemp
Hemp produces over 120 cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which have shown therapeutic efficacy in treating a variety of conditions:
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Epileptic seizures
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Anxiety disorders
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Sleep disturbances
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Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
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Tumor growth and cancer-related symptoms
The rising demand for CBD has highlighted the need for specialized hemp varieties with ideal cannabinoid profiles tailored to specific therapeutic purposes, driving global breeding initiatives.
03
South Korea’s Transition: From Traditional Hemp to Modern Applications
Despite South Korea's rich history with hemp, legal constraints on cannabis cultivation, consumption, and trade have hindered progress in preclinical and clinical research. However, with increasing global interest in cannabinoid-based therapies, South Korea is now focusing on the development of new hemp varieties optimized for medicinal applications, particularly high-CBD strains.
Strategic Priority
The development of hemp varieties suited to South Korea’s climate, soil conditions, and controlled environments is emerging as a critical strategy for advancing cannabinoid research and supporting the rapidly growing medicinal cannabis industry.
04
Collaborative Efforts in Hemp Breeding
A five-year national project titled "Research and Development for Korean-Type Hemp Platform of Kangwon GreenBio", led by Kangwon National University (KNU) in collaboration with the Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR) at Colorado State University Pueblo, has received funding from the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT, totaling $4 million USD.
Key Objectives
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Collection of Genetic Resources:
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A total of 26 hemp varieties were collected from domestic and international sources (Table 1).
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These resources were analyzed for genetic diversity and utilized as breeding stock for new hemp varieties optimized for CBD production.
2. Breeding Program:
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Genetic resources underwent germination tests, and individuals demonstrating normal growth were selected for further breeding
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Clonal propagation was performed using meristems from the vegetative stage or in vitro tissue culture.
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Selective cross-pollination under short-day conditions (12 hours/day) resulted in the production of 80 hybrid strains, with the most promising lines advancing to cannabinoid profiling.
Table 1. Collected Cannabis Varieties with Cannabinoid Content and Genetic Composition Used for Pink Pepper Development
Variety name / Origin | Genetic Composition (%) | THC (%) | CBD (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Genotype 1 | - | 0.53 | 1.19 |
Genotype 2 | - | 0.01 | 0.11 |
Genotype 3 | - | 0.13 | 1.44 |
Genotype 4 | - | ||
Genotype 5 | - | 0.01 | 0.19 |
Genotype 6 | - | ||
Genotype 7 | - | 0.01 | 0.19 |
Genotype 8 | - | ||
Genotype 9 | - | 0.01 | 1.16 |
Genotype 10 | Indica dominant | 15 | 0 |
Genotype 11 | Indica:Sativa= 80:20 | 6 | 6 |
Genotype 12 | Indica:Sativa= 40:60 | 0.4 | 10 |
Genotype 13 | Sativa | ||
Genotype 14 | Indica: Ruderalis= 50:50 | 19 | 0.2 |
Genotype 15 | Sativa (100%) | 15 | 0 |
Genotype 16 | Indica:Sativa= 45:55 | 0.5 | 14 |
Genotype 17 | Indica:Sativa= 40:60 | 17 | 0 |
Genotype 18 | Indica:Sativa= 50:50 | 8 | 10 |
Genotype 19 | ndica:Sativa= 40:60 | 0.5 | 15 |
Genotype 20 | Indica:Sativa= 35:65 | 10 | 10 |
Genotype 21 | Indica:Sativa= 50:50 | 0.3 | 20 |
Genotype 22 | Indica:Sativa:Ruderalis= 70:10:20 | 0.5 | 17 |
Genotype 23 | Sativa dominant | 0.3 | 10 |
Genotype 24 | Sativa dominant | 6.5 | 9.1 |
Genotype 25 | Indica:Sativa:Ruderalis= 50:30:20 | 10 | 0.2 |
Genotype 26 | Indica dominant:Sativa= 50:50 | 15 | 0.3 |
05
Evaluation and Development of the Pink Pepper Variety
Evaluation of Genetic Resources
Hemp varieties underwent detailed morphological evaluations and cannabinoid analyses, focusing on traits such as branch number, leaf dimensions, and cannabinoid content. Hybrid line 18 (I:K2)—a cross between an Indian variety and a Korean variety—demonstrated superior performance, as shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Morphological Evaluation and Cannabinoid Content in Leaves
Selection of High-CBD Inflorescences
Inflorescences from selected hybrids were analyzed for cannabinoid content after six weeks of flowering. Hybrid 18-1exhibited the highest total CBD content, as detailed in Table 3.
Table 3. Cannabinoid Content in Selected Clonal Inflorescences (1 Week into Flowering)
Plant # | CBDA (%) | CBD (%) | THCA (%) | THC (%) | Stem diameter (cm) | Height (cm) | Leaf length (cm) | Leaf width (cm) | Branch # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18-1 | 1.347 | 0.0331 | 0.0895 | 0.022 | 1.10 | 200 | 35 | 6 | 19 |
Plant # | CBDA (%) | CBD (%) | THCA (%) | THC (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18-1 | 5.6419 | 0.1296 | 0.1357 | 0.0424 |
06
The Birth of Pink Pepper
The hybrid strain 18-1, characterized by its high CBD content, robust morphological traits, and adaptability, was officially named "Pink Pepper". It has been patented as a new medicinal hemp variety in South Korea (Application number: 10-2023-0091043) and USA (Application number: 18/586963) and successfully propagated for further research and commercialization.
The development of Pink Pepper represents a milestone in South Korea's transition from traditional hemp uses to modern medicinal applications. Through international collaboration, strategic breeding programs, and cutting-edge research, South Korea is paving the way for cannabinoid innovation and positioning itself as a leader in the global medicinal hemp industry.