Educational reference · evidence, sources, and limits shown below

Terms to know

clone

A set of vegetatively propagated ramets derived from a common source; the word is also used informally for one ramet.

ramet

One vegetatively propagated plant belonging to a clone.

ortet

The original donor individual from which ramets of a clone are propagated.

genotype

An individual’s inherited DNA sequence state, either genome-wide or at specified loci.

phenotype

An observed or measured characteristic produced by biology under defined conditions.

somatic mutation

A DNA sequence change arising after fertilization in non-germline tissue.

epigenetic state

A regulatory state that affects gene activity without requiring a DNA-sequence change and may persist through cell divisions.

off-type

An individual that deviates from the defined identity or phenotype standard.

Core science

Vegetative propagation produces a new plant from somatic tissue rather than from meiosis and fertilization. The cutting is therefore a ramet derived from the donor ortet, and its nuclear genotype is expected to match the sampled donor tissue. This is the central reason growers use clones to retain a selected plant’s inherited traits.

Genetic identity does not make every clone phenotypically identical. Rooting conditions, plant age, source position, nutrition, water status, light, pathogens, viroids, and later cultivation conditions can change morphology, vigor, flowering behavior, and chemical expression. A clone can also carry physiological history and transmissible biological agents present in donor tissue; specific microbes or pathogens must be evidenced separately.

Clonal fidelity is a testable expectation, not a guarantee. Somatic mutation, chimerism, labeling errors, sample mix-ups, and culture-associated genetic or epigenetic changes can create off-types. Marker studies can test selected regions or genome-wide variation, but no finite test proves absolute identity in every cell.

Why this matters in cultivation

• Use permanent mother and clone identifiers. Record the exact donor, cutting date, operator, source branch, tray, treatment, rooting outcome, and later crop observations. Do not use a cultivar name alone as proof that two clones are identical.

Measure and record

Common misconceptions

Evidence limits

The controlled source packet supports genotype preservation as the purpose of cloning, but public claims about absolute genetic or epigenetic stability require direct testing. Studies showing marker similarity apply only to the genotypes, markers, passages, and methods tested.

Related encyclopedia topics

• THC-ENC-141–160 for genotype, chemotype, sex, clonal fidelity, and evidence standards; THC-ENC-301–340 for disease, viroid, biosecurity, sanitation, and release controls; THC-GROW-034 for the controlled propagation SOP package.

Source notes

• V09-SRC-001 — THC Cannabis Plant Science Source Packet v1.0 (project control source).
• Campbell LG, Naraine SGU, Dusfresne J. (2019). Phenotypic plasticity influences the success of clonal propagation in industrial pharmaceutical Cannabis sativa. PLOS ONE 14:e0213434. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0213434.
• Ioannidis K et al. (2022). Genetic evaluation of in vitro micropropagated and regenerated plants of Cannabis sativa L. using SSR molecular markers. Plants 11:2569. DOI 10.3390/plants11192569.
• Lefebvre V et al. (2026). Micropropagation of Cannabis sativa: genetic and epigenetic stability assessment over multiple generations. Journal of Cannabis Research 8:43. DOI 10.1186/s42238-026-00406-y.