WHY CANNABIS IS SO DIFFERENT: GENOTYPE, PHENOTYPE AND CHEMOTYPE

It happens that you discover a cannabis strain so good that you can't help but want to grow it over and over again. However, many growers often notice that plants from the same variety are so different in result that one would not even say they are from the same variety. The terms genotype and phenotype are used to explain these differences between varieties, but do you know what they mean? Understanding the genetics of cannabis can be very complex. Many growers often use the words genotype and phenotype incorrectly. We are here to clear up any confusion about genotypes, phenotypes and chemotypes. We will first explain these terms to you, then we will look at how they relate to each other and show you the differences between them.

What is a cannabis genotype?

Agenotype is a specific combination of genes that each cannabis plant is equipped with. The genotype is the genetic code that carries all the genetic information regarding growth, appearance and any traits that can be observed later. The cannabis genotype is the key to understanding the genetic potential of a given variety.

What is the cannabis phenotype?

Phenotype refers to how cannabis plants of the same variety differ from each other in physical characteristics such as shape, colour, smell and yield. Phenotypes are the result of the interaction between the genetic make-up of the plant and the environment where it is grown. The fact that seeds come from the same parent plant does not necessarily mean that they contain the same genetic information. The environment in which a plant grows influences the development of certain traits. The interaction between the genetic code and the environment results in what is known as the plant's phenotype.

The best way to understand this is by using the formula: GENOTYPE + ENVIRONMENT = PHENOTYPE.

The phenotype represents the visible traits that appear during the life cycle of a cannabis plant when grown in a specific environment and includes, for example:

• Yield,
• effects,
• colours,
• scents,
• height,
• leaf size and shape,
• terpene content,
• cannabinoid levels.

Difference between genotype and phenotype

Environmental factors that influence cannabis phenotypes

Factors to keep in mind to get the best cannabis phenotype are:

• Temperature,
• humidity,
• growing medium,
• lighting,
• fertiliser,
• nutrients.

Environmental factors affect the life cycle of the plant and are not passed on to the next generation during breeding. For example, if a grower uses low temperature and high airflow to produce an extremely vigorous phenotype that grows wide, it does not mean that the next generation of that plant will then grow in the same way, even if they are genetic clones of the original plant.

What is phenohunting?

Phenohunting is the process that cannabis breeders use to create the best varieties with the highest yields and potency, the best flavour and maximum growth. It involves planting different varieties, growing them, cloning them and identifying key characteristics. Once the best possible phenotype is found, breeders take cuttings from it and create clones that are identical genetic copies of the original plant. These clones can then be sold to growers looking for the genetically best plants.

No new traits or extreme traits are developed in phenohunting; everything must be based on the genetic constraints of the variety.

What are cannabis chemotypes?

When it comes to predicting specific medicinal properties and possible side effects, the most significant differences are derived from chemotypes.

Once cannabis breeders began to selectively breed plants to contain specific cannabinoids such as CBD, laboratory analyses revealed that individual cannabinoid types can vary significantly. Some seeds may contain more CBD, others more THC and the rest may be somewhere in between with a THC:CBD ratio of 1:1.

Navigating the vast genetic world of cannabis is very complex. We hope that our guide to genotypes, phenotypes and chemotypes has made it easier for you to navigate these confusing concepts. From now on you will have no problem defining genotype, phenotype and chemotype. And why not put your knowledge into practice? Visit our e-shop, buy seeds for cultivation with up to 1% THC and see how the varieties differ from each other and whether or not you can influence these differences.