Tetraploid

Tetraploid cannabis plants contain four sets of chromosomes (4n) rather than the typical two sets (2n) found in diploid plants. This chromosomal condition occurs naturally but is rare; breeders sometimes induce tetraploidy using colchicine treatments to create novel genetic combinations. Tetraploid specimens often exhibit larger flowers, thicker stems, and increased vigor compared to their diploid counterparts, though breeding outcomes vary significantly. The trait is documented in cannabis genetics research as a tool for exploring polyploid effects on plant morphology and breeding potential. Tetraploid lines remain uncommon in commercial cultivation due to production complexity and unpredictable trait expression across generations.

Plant breeders working with polyploidy use tetraploidy as a research approach to generate genetic diversity and investigate how chromosome doubling affects cannabinoid profiles, terpene expression, and plant structure. The resulting hybrids between tetraploid and diploid parents (triploids) are sometimes sterile, making them breeding dead-ends, but the process itself contributes to understanding c