Geraniol Terpene Marker

Geraniol is a monoterpene commonly detected in cannabis cultivars, characterized by floral and rose-like aromatic notes. Lineage records frequently report geraniol prominence in strains descended from Pelindaba or African landrace genetics, though it appears across diverse breeding populations. In cannabis breeding databases, geraniol markers are often correlated with specific terpene profiles rather than cannabinoid ratios. The compound is also found in plants like geranium, lemongrass, and rose, contributing to distinctive sensory profiles in cannabis cultivars. Geraniol presence is typically identified through chromatography-based terpene testing, making it a trackable genetic marker for breeders documenting lineage expression.

Breeders working with geraniol-dominant lines use this terpene marker to track and stabilize aromatic phenotypes across generations. Selection for geraniol expression helps document terpene inheritance patterns and may inform crosses aimed at specific sensory or flavor profile targets.