Genotype

Think of genotype as the instruction manual and phenotype as the finished product. A plant's genotype might include the genetic potential for both purple coloration and green coloration, but whether the plant actually turns purple depends on environmental factors like nighttime temperature drops. Similarly, a strain with a genetic ceiling of 28% THC will never reach that potential if grown under suboptimal lighting or nutrient conditions.

Breeders study genotypes to predict which traits offspring will carry. By understanding dominant and recessive genetic traits, they can plan crosses that maximize desirable outcomes like high terpene production, specific cannabinoid ratios, or disease resistance. Advances in cannabis genomic testing are making genotype analysis more accessible, allowing breeders and cultivators to screen seeds before planting and select for specific genetic markers rather than relying solely on observing mature plants.