Breeding Targets

Breeding Targets refers to the specific phenotypic, chemotypic, or horticultural traits that cannabis breeders intentionally select for across generations. These can include cannabinoid profiles (THC/CBD ratios), terpene dominance, flowering time, yield potential, disease resistance, or plant morphology. Rather than describing a single strain family, Breeding Targets represent the strategic goals guiding modern cannabis genetics programs. Breeders working with defined targets create more stable, predictable lines by selecting parent plants exhibiting desired characteristics and crossing them systematically. Understanding breeding targets is essential for evaluating how contemporary cultivars are developed and how genetic diversity is managed within the cannabis germplasm.

Professional breeders use clearly defined targets to guide selection pressure, ensure line stability, and communicate genetic direction to other researchers and commercial partners. Documenting breeding targets helps standardize how new cultivars are evaluated and replicated across different growing environments and regions.