Circadian Clock Expression

Circadian clock expression in cannabis refers to time-dependent variations in terpene production and volatile compound emission across a 24-hour cycle. Plants with pronounced circadian rhythms often show peak terpene concentrations during specific hours—commonly in early morning or late evening—reflecting natural circadian biology shared across plant species. This phenomenon is influenced by light cycles, temperature fluctuations, and the plant's internal genetic clock, regulated by clock-associated genes. Breeders and cultivators studying circadian patterns have documented that harvest timing and drying conditions can interact with these rhythms to alter final aroma profiles. Understanding circadian clock expression remains largely in early research phases for cannabis-specific genetics, though the trait is well-established in broader botany and horticulture.

Breeders working with circadian phenotypes aim to stabilize or enhance predictable aromatic expression during cultivation cycles. This trait is of interest to cultivators seeking consistent terpene profiles and to genetic researchers mapping clock-gene variants that control volatile compound biosynthesis.