Terpene Expression Under Stress

Terpene Expression Under Stress refers to the documented shift in volatile secondary metabolite profiles that cannabis plants exhibit when subjected to environmental pressures—including drought, heat, pest pressure, or nutrient deficiency. Breeders and researchers have observed that certain cultivars amplify or suppress specific terpenes in response to these conditions, a trait thought to reflect both genetic predisposition and phenotypic plasticity. This phenomenon complicates standardization in breeding programs, as terpene profiles recorded under controlled conditions may differ significantly from field-grown or stressed material. Understanding stress-induced terpene modulation is relevant for selecting parent lines with stable chemotypes and for developing cultivars suited to variable growing conditions. The relationship between stress response and terpene chemistry remains an active

Breeders working with this trait prioritize selecting lines that maintain consistent terpene profiles across multiple growing environments, or conversely, those that predictably express desired aromatic compounds only under specific stress conditions. Stability testing across seasons and growing methods helps identify whether terpene shifts are genetically encoded or environmentally triggered.