Tissue Testing

Tissue testing refers to laboratory analysis of plant material to quantify terpene profiles and cannabinoid composition. Unlike whole-flower testing, tissue analysis examines specific plant tissues (leaves, bracts, trichomes) to map terpene distribution across different plant structures. This method helps breeders understand which tissues accumulate target compounds and how environmental factors influence terpene expression in different plant zones. Tissue-level data is particularly useful for identifying cultivars with consistent terpene production and understanding how drying, curing, and storage affect volatile compound retention in specific tissues.

Breeders use tissue testing to select parents that produce desirable terpene profiles concentrated in smokable/harvestable tissues, and to identify genetic lines with stable terpene expression across environmental conditions. Comparing tissue results across generations helps track whether terpene traits breed true or exhibit variable expression.