Pulegone Markers

Pulegone markers refer to genetic and chemical indicators associated with pulegone production in cannabis—a monoterpene compound that occurs in trace amounts in certain cultivars. Pulegone is structurally related to menthol and commonly detected in strains carrying Mentha or mint-adjacent terpene profiles. Lineage records frequently report pulegone presence in Old World hashish landraces and some Afghan/Indian breeding lines. Breeders tracking pulegone markers study these compounds as secondary indicators of broader terpene inheritance patterns rather than primary selection targets. The compound remains relatively minor in most contemporary cannabis profiles but serves as a genetic tracer for understanding monoterpene expression in specific lineage families.

Pulegone markers help breeders map monoterpene diversity and trace regional landrace genetics, particularly when examining Old World hash-plant ancestry. Identifying pulegone-positive phenotypes supports research into terpene pleiotropy and the genetic architecture underlying mint-like aroma profiles.