Cannabis breeding is the process of creating new strains of marijuana plants with desired characteristics, such as potency, yield, and flavor. The different generations of breeding refer to the number of times a plant has been self-crossed or crossbred with another plant. Here is a list and description of some of the most common generations in cannabis breeding:
F1 (first filial)
- The F1 generation is the first offspring resulting from a cross between two genetically distinct plants. This is the first step in creating a hybrid strain and is considered the purest and most stable form of the hybrid.
S1 (selfed first generation)
- S1 refers to self-fertilizing the female flowers of an F1 hybrid. This creates a second generation of seeds that are genetically uniform, meaning all the plants from the same S1 seed will be very similar to each other.
BC (Backcross)
- A backcross is the process of crossing a hybrid plant with one of its parent plants to produce offspring that are genetically similar to the parent plant. This is often done to bring back certain traits that were lost in the hybridization process.
BX1 (Backcross #1)
- The BX1 is the first backcross generation, created by crossing an F1 hybrid with one of its parent plants. This is a way to create a plant that is more similar to the parent plant, while still retaining some of the unique traits from the hybridization.
F2 (second filial) –
- The F2 generation is created by cross-breeding two plants from the F1 generation. This results in offspring that are more diverse and heterozygous, meaning they possess a greater range of traits.
IBL (Inbred Line) –
- An IBL is a strain that has been selfed for multiple generations, creating a plant that is highly homozygous and uniform. This is often used as a starting point for creating new hybrids.
Landrace
- A landrace is a naturally occurring, pure strain of marijuana that has been grown in a specific region for many generations. Landraces are considered the purest form of marijuana, with distinct characteristics and traits.
These are some of the most common generations in cannabis breeding. The goal of breeding is to create new strains with desired traits, such as potency, flavor, and yield. By cross-breeding plants from different generations and with different genetic backgrounds, breeders are able to create unique strains with unique characteristics.
