Homozygous Heterozygous

Homozygous and heterozygous are fundamental genetic terms describing allele pairing at a single locus, not terpene compounds. In cannabis breeding, these terms define whether a plant carries identical alleles (homozygous) or different alleles (heterozygous) for a trait—including terpene expression. Understanding this distinction is critical for breeders seeking stable, repeatable phenotypes versus plants with genetic diversity and hybrid vigor.

Breeders use homozygous lines to create stable, true-breeding parents that consistently express target terpene profiles across generations. Heterozygous plants often display broader terpene variation and phenotypic diversity, making them valuable in hybrid crosses to combine desirable aromatic traits while maintaining genetic heterosis.