Micropropagation

Micropropagation is not a terpene, but rather a horticultural technique used in cannabis breeding and preservation. It refers to the propagation of plants from small tissue samples—typically leaf, stem, or meristem tissue—grown in sterile laboratory conditions. Cannabis breeders and seed banks employ micropropagation to preserve elite genetics without genetic drift, create disease-free plant stock, and maintain true-to-type mother plants indefinitely. This method is particularly valuable for maintaining rare or unstable lineages that may be difficult to reproduce from seed alone. Unlike traditional cloning, micropropagated plants develop in a controlled environment, reducing contamination risk and storage space requirements.

Breeders use micropropagation to archive and regenerate high-value breeding stock, ensuring genetic integrity across generations and reducing the need for frequent re-selection. Seed banks and institutional collections rely on tissue culture to preserve heirloom and rare cultivars with minimal genetic drift.