Plant Secondary Metabolism
Plant secondary metabolism refers to the biochemical processes that produce compounds beyond those required for basic growth and reproduction—including terpenes, cannabinoids, and phenolics. In cannabis, these metabolites accumulate in trichomes and serve ecological functions like pest defense and UV protection. Breeders and researchers study secondary metabolite profiles to understand strain chemistry and genetic expression patterns. The production of these compounds is influenced by genetics, environmental stress, light spectrum, temperature, and nutrient availability. Secondary metabolism represents a key intersection between plant physiology and the chemical diversity observed across cannabis cultivars.
Plant Secondary Metabolism strains
No strains tagged into Plant Secondary Metabolism yet — they'll appear here as breeders submit lineage records under this terpene.
Plant secondary metabolism refers to the biochemical processes that produce compounds beyond those required for basic growth and reproduction—including terpenes, cannabinoids, and phenolics. In cannabis, these metabolites accumulate in trichomes and serve ecological functions like pest defense and UV protection. Breeders and researchers study secondary metabolite profiles to understand strain chemistry and genetic expression patterns. The production of these compounds is influenced by genetics, environmental stress, light spectrum, temperature, and nutrient availability. Secondary metabolism represents a key intersection between plant physiology and the chemical diversity observed across cannabis cultivars.
Breeders select for robust secondary metabolism when targeting specific terpene or cannabinoid profiles, as plants with stronger metabolic capacity often express more consistent and abundant specialized compounds. Understanding secondary metabolism pathways helps breeders predict which genetic crosses may yield desired aromatic or chemical outcomes.
Educational reference · Cultivar metadata only · No medical claims