Night Temperature Stress

Night temperature stress in cannabis refers to environmental conditions where nighttime temperatures drop significantly below optimal ranges, typically below 50°F (10°C). This abiotic stress can trigger secondary metabolite production, including terpene accumulation as part of the plant's adaptive response. Breeders and cultivators have observed that certain genotypes express distinctive aromatic profiles when exposed to temperature fluctuations between day and night cycles. The resulting aromas are often described as more complex or intensified, though the specific terpene composition varies by cultivar. This phenomenon is commonly studied in controlled breeding programs to understand genotype-by-environment interactions in terpene expression.

Breeders working in climate-controlled environments document how night temperature stress influences terpene profiles in their trial populations. Understanding this trait helps breeders select genotypes with stable or desirable aromatic expression across variable growing conditions.