Plant Biochemistry

Plant Biochemistry refers to the chemical processes and metabolite production that occur within cannabis tissues, encompassing cannabinoid synthesis, terpene biosynthesis, flavonoid production, and phenolic compound accumulation. Understanding these pathways is fundamental to cannabis genetics, as they determine the secondary metabolite profiles that distinguish cultivars and inform breeding objectives. Biochemical traits are polygenic—controlled by multiple genes—and heavily influenced by environmental conditions including light, temperature, and nutrient availability. Breeders study plant biochemistry to map trait heritability, stabilize desirable metabolite ratios, and develop cultivars with consistent cannabinoid and terpene expression across generations. Modern cannabis genetics increasingly relies on biochemical analysis (gas chromatography, liquid chromatography) to phenotype plan

Breeders use biochemical profiling to select parent plants with stable, reproducible metabolite expression and to track how specific traits segregate in F1, F2, and backcross generations. Biochemical knowledge helps inform crossing strategies aimed at combining complementary cannabinoid or terpene profiles while maintaining plant vigor and structural integrity.