Wouldn't it be great to have a certificate of authenticity for a pack of seeds that carries genetic test results showing the strain identification? Sure, I can look up strain characteristics, but how do I know if the seeds will grow into hermie prone poor producing ditch weed or stellar monster buds?
There are a few things growers can do, like buy from well known seed breeders. But this really needs to be dialed in like the rest of the ag business with guidelines for identification and standards for traits. Like if a seed seller claims high CBD, what exactly does that mean to the buyer? That he might get a few plants that carry the trait from a pack of 10 seeds? How about if every seed in the pack was the same, or as close as possible, so that the test results and growth pattern can be planned for?
The original poster asked for problems that need a technology solution. I think that genetic or terpene identification of strains and a seed certification process to ensure that the qualities that we value are present would help. Someday soon farmers will be looking to acquire big loads of seeds and will need to know exactly what kind of seeds they are. There are steps being taken but I have not seen a comprehensive plan to get the plant into a certification type of environment to help with improving the quality of seedstock. (Monsanto probably has this all figured out already, but they don't have to share their work.)
