Stress Induced Secondary Metabolism

Stress-Induced Secondary Metabolism (SISM) refers to the biochemical processes cannabis plants activate in response to environmental pressures—drought, nutrient deficit, pest pressure, or UV exposure. Under stress conditions, plants redirect energy from primary growth to synthesize defensive and adaptive compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds. Breeders and cultivators study SISM because understanding these pathways illuminates why phenotype expression and chemical profiles can vary significantly across growing conditions. Lineage records frequently report that certain genetic backgrounds show more pronounced secondary metabolite production under controlled stress, though the mechanisms remain an active area of horticultural research.

Breeders working in this category often select for plants that upregulate desirable secondary metabolites—particularly cannabinoid and terpene accumulation—in response to mild, managed stress. Knowledge of SISM genetics helps inform cultivation protocols and parent selection for lines intended to express specific chemical profiles under variable conditions.