Terpene Inheritance Patterns

Terpene inheritance in cannabis follows polygenic patterns influenced by both parental genotypes and environmental conditions during cultivation. Lineage records frequently report that dominant terpene profiles—such as high limonene or myrcene expression—can be reliably passed to offspring, though secondary terpene ratios often shift across generations. Breeders working with stable cultivars have observed that terpene phenotypes are less predictable than cannabinoid ratios, partly due to the large number of genes controlling volatile compound synthesis. Environmental stress, light cycles, and growing medium composition significantly modify terpene expression even within genetically identical clones, complicating inheritance documentation.

Understanding terpene inheritance helps breeders select parent plants that consistently produce desired aroma profiles across multiple generations. Stabilization of terpene-dominant lines requires multi-generational selection and controlled growing conditions to distinguish genetic from environmental terpene variation.