Genotype By Environment Interaction

Genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E) describes how a cannabis plant's genetic potential expresses differently depending on cultivation conditions—light, temperature, humidity, soil composition, and nutrient availability. The same cultivar grown indoors under LEDs will display distinct phenotypic traits compared to outdoor cultivation, affecting plant morphology, terpene profiles, and cannabinoid ratios. Breeders and growers must account for G×E effects when evaluating strain performance across multiple environments, as stability across conditions is a key breeding goal. Documentation of G×E responses helps distinguish true genetic traits from environmentally-induced variation, improving breeding precision.

Breeders working with G×E acknowledge that phenotype stability across diverse grow conditions is difficult to achieve and often requires multi-environment testing. Understanding G×E interaction enables targeted selection for cultivars suited to specific cultivation systems—outdoor, greenhouse, or controlled indoor environments.