Volatile Secondary Metabolites
Volatile secondary metabolites (VSMs) are organic compounds produced by cannabis plants beyond primary metabolic functions, released into the air as gases or vapors. This family includes terpenes, esters, aldehydes, and ketones—molecules responsible for plant aroma and flavor profiles. VSMs serve ecological roles in the parent plant, including pest deterrence and pollinator attraction. In breeding programs, VSM profiles are tracked through gas chromatography and headspace analysis to map chemotype consistency across generations. Breeders working in this category often document VSM expression as a heritable trait, noting how cultivation environment, harvest timing, and genetics interact to shape volatile composition.
Volatile Secondary Metabolites strains
No strains tagged into Volatile Secondary Metabolites yet — they'll appear here as breeders submit lineage records under this family.
Volatile secondary metabolites (VSMs) are organic compounds produced by cannabis plants beyond primary metabolic functions, released into the air as gases or vapors. This family includes terpenes, esters, aldehydes, and ketones—molecules responsible for plant aroma and flavor profiles. VSMs serve ecological roles in the parent plant, including pest deterrence and pollinator attraction. In breeding programs, VSM profiles are tracked through gas chromatography and headspace analysis to map chemotype consistency across generations. Breeders working in this category often document VSM expression as a heritable trait, noting how cultivation environment, harvest timing, and genetics interact to shape volatile composition.
Selection for stable VSM profiles supports reproducible sensory phenotypes and helps breeders establish chemotype-specific line stability. Understanding VSM biosynthesis pathways allows geneticists to identify which alleles control volatile terpene and ester production, informing parent selection for targeted crosses.
Educational reference · Cultivar metadata only · No medical claims