Citral Terpene

Citral is a monoterpene compound comprising two closely related isomers: geranial and neral. These acyclic terpenes are commonly associated with bright, lemony, and floral aromatics in cannabis cultivars. Citral's presence is frequently documented across diverse strain lineages, though concentrations vary significantly based on genetics and cultivation conditions. The compound belongs to a broader family of C10 terpenes that contribute to the overall sensory profile of cannabis flowers and trim materials. Understanding citral's distribution across breeding stock helps geneticists predict and stabilize aromatic traits in new crosses.

Breeders working with citral-dominant parents often select for this trait when targeting bright, fresh aromatic profiles or exploring terpene synergy with complementary compounds like limonene and myrcene. Citral expression tends to show moderate heritability, making it a feasible selection target across multiple generations.