Colchicine Induction
Colchicine induction refers to the laboratory practice of exposing cannabis seedlings or tissue cultures to colchicine, an alkaloid that disrupts spindle fiber formation during cell division. This technique temporarily halts mitosis, potentially doubling chromosome sets and creating polyploid plants (tetraploid, for example). Breeders working in polyploidy research have historically explored this method to generate novel genetic variation and altered plant morphology. Colchicine-induced polyploids often exhibit modified leaf size, stem structure, and terpene profiles compared to diploid parents. This remains a niche breeding tool rather than a mainstream cultivation practice in cannabis genetics.
Colchicine Induction strains
No strains tagged into Colchicine Induction yet — they'll appear here as breeders submit lineage records under this terpene.
Colchicine induction refers to the laboratory practice of exposing cannabis seedlings or tissue cultures to colchicine, an alkaloid that disrupts spindle fiber formation during cell division. This technique temporarily halts mitosis, potentially doubling chromosome sets and creating polyploid plants (tetraploid, for example). Breeders working in polyploidy research have historically explored this method to generate novel genetic variation and altered plant morphology. Colchicine-induced polyploids often exhibit modified leaf size, stem structure, and terpene profiles compared to diploid parents. This remains a niche breeding tool rather than a mainstream cultivation practice in cannabis genetics.
Plant geneticists and advanced breeders use colchicine induction to create polyploid cannabis lines for research into chromosome number effects on vigor, yield traits, and secondary metabolite accumulation. The technique allows controlled exploration of how genome doubling influences morphological and biochemical expression.
Educational reference · Cultivar metadata only · No medical claims