Day Night Temperature Delta

Day-night temperature differential (often 10-15°C swings) is an environmental factor that influences cannabinoid and terpene expression in cannabis cultivation. Breeders and cultivators observe that larger temperature deltas between photoperiod and dark cycles can shift volatile compound profiles, potentially affecting terpene volatility and concentration patterns. This phenomenon is particularly noted in outdoor and controlled-environment growing, where diurnal temperature ranges vary significantly. The mechanism appears related to how plants regulate enzyme activity and secondary metabolite synthesis across light and dark cycles. Temperature delta is distinguished from absolute temperature—the *difference* itself, not the baseline warmth, drives these shifts. Understanding this variable helps breeders select and stabilize lines suited to specific growing conditions.

Breeders working with phenotype stabilization across regions often factor in temperature cycling to evaluate terpene consistency and expression robustness. Selecting for temperature-resilient cultivars requires tracking how day-night swings influence offspring trait expression.