Genotype Phenotype

Genotype and phenotype represent two fundamental levels of cannabis plant expression. Genotype refers to the actual genetic code inherited from parent plants—the DNA sequence that carries trait instructions. Phenotype describes the observable characteristics that result from genotype interacting with environment: plant structure, leaf morphology, terpene profiles, and flowering timing. A single genotype can produce different phenotypes under varying light, temperature, and nutrient conditions, which is why clones from the same mother plant may express differently across grow environments. Understanding this distinction is critical for breeders seeking stable, reproducible traits and for cultivators attempting to replicate results from seed to harvest.

Breeders track genotype-phenotype relationships to identify which genetic markers reliably predict desired traits and which environmental factors push expression toward target phenotypes. Stabilizing this relationship across generations produces more uniform, predictable cultivars.