Plant Hormone Pathways

Plant hormone pathways represent the biochemical signaling systems that regulate cannabis growth, stress response, and secondary metabolite production. These include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid (ABA)—each governing distinct developmental phases and environmental adaptations. While terpene production itself isn't a hormone, terpene expression is often modulated by these endogenous pathways, particularly during flowering and stress conditions. Breeders studying cannabinoid and terpene stability across generations frequently examine how genetic variation in hormone sensitivity influences phenotypic consistency. Understanding these pathways helps explain why identical genotypes can express different aromatic profiles under varying cultivation conditions.

Breeders working with photoperiod-dependent and autoflowering strains leverage knowledge of gibberellin and ethylene pathways to predict flowering timing and plant architecture. Selection for stress-resilience often indirectly selects for robust hormone regulation, which correlates with stable terpene expression across environmental stressors.