Sesquiterpene Inheritance

Sesquiterpenes are a large class of volatile compounds (C15H24) commonly detected in cannabis chemotypes, including β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, β-myrcene, and α-bisabolol. These molecules are produced in the plant's trichome glands and often tagged as contributors to aroma complexity and plant-level chemotype expression. Sesquiterpene inheritance patterns are frequently polygenic, meaning multiple genes across different chromosomal regions influence their accumulation and ratio within a cultivar. Breeders working with sesquiterpene-rich lineages rely on chemotype testing (GC-MS or HPLC) to track phenotypic expression across generations, as environmental factors also significantly modulate sesquiterpene profiles. Understanding sesquiterpene genetics is central to breeding programs focused on chemotype stability and aroma-trait consistency.

Breeders select parent plants with target sesquiterpene profiles to establish stable F1 and F2 lines; homozygous parents typically produce more uniform offspring chemotypes. Backcrossing and marker-assisted selection are increasingly used to isolate and fix desired sesquiterpene ratios without relying solely on phenotypic observation.