Leaf Damage Volatiles
Leaf Damage Volatiles (LDVs) are aromatic compounds released by cannabis plants when foliage is mechanically stressed, crushed, or damaged. Common LDVs include hexanal, hexenal, and other C6 aldehydes and alcohols that create sharp, green, grassy notes distinct from the plant's baseline terpene profile. These compounds are produced rapidly through enzymatic pathways (the lipoxygenase cascade) as part of the plant's chemical stress response. Breeders and cultivators observe that cultivar-specific LDV signatures vary widely—some plants express predominantly floral or fruity notes when undisturbed but emit intense green-leaf volatiles when handled or trimmed. Understanding LDV expression helps inform harvest timing, post-harvest handling protocols, and preservation techniques that minimize unwanted chemical changes.
Leaf Damage Volatiles strains
No strains tagged into Leaf Damage Volatiles yet — they'll appear here as breeders submit lineage records under this family.
Leaf Damage Volatiles (LDVs) are aromatic compounds released by cannabis plants when foliage is mechanically stressed, crushed, or damaged. Common LDVs include hexanal, hexenal, and other C6 aldehydes and alcohols that create sharp, green, grassy notes distinct from the plant's baseline terpene profile. These compounds are produced rapidly through enzymatic pathways (the lipoxygenase cascade) as part of the plant's chemical stress response. Breeders and cultivators observe that cultivar-specific LDV signatures vary widely—some plants express predominantly floral or fruity notes when undisturbed but emit intense green-leaf volatiles when handled or trimmed. Understanding LDV expression helps inform harvest timing, post-harvest handling protocols, and preservation techniques that minimize unwanted chemical changes.
Plant geneticists working with cannabis lineages track LDV emission profiles as a secondary phenotypic marker, since stress-response chemistry can influence the final cured product's aroma complexity. Breeders selecting for specific terpene preservation or flavor stability often cross-reference LDV baseline data to predict how a cultivar will behave during trimming and drying phases.
Educational reference · Cultivar metadata only · No medical claims