Terpene Dominant Selection

Terpene-dominant selection refers to breeding practices where cultivators prioritize aromatic compound profiles over other traits like cannabinoid ratios or yield. Breeders employing this approach identify parent plants with distinctive or stable terpene expression, then selectively breed offspring that maintain or amplify these profiles across generations. This methodology has become increasingly common in contemporary cannabis breeding programs, particularly among craft breeders seeking market differentiation. Terpene-dominant lines often require careful phenotype hunting, as environmental factors and genetic expression can create phenotypic variation within the same cultivar. Documentation of terpene profiles through gas chromatography or sensory evaluation helps breeders track heritability of aromatic traits.

Breeders working in terpene-dominant selection use backcrossing, selfing, and structured crosses to stabilize desirable aromatic compounds like limonene, myrcene, or pinene expressions. This approach often requires multiple generations of testing to ensure terpene stability and consistency across environmental conditions and phenotypes.