Backcross

Backcrossing refers to an inbreeding technique commonly used by professional cannabis breeders during the hybridization process to enhance and stabilize specific traits within a new hybrid strain. After initially crossing two unrelated pure or hybrid strains possessing complementary traits, breeders will then take that first-generation hybrid offspring and cross it again with one of the same original parent strains, or even back to itself, to amplify desired characteristics. This repetitive backcrossing over multiple generations of offspring helps fix certain advantageous phenotypes in the population and amplify expression of key targeted genetic traits when breeding new hybrid strains. Extensive backcrossing also breeds out less favorable traits from the hybrid while amplifying the most desirable qualities. It is primarily used to isolate and enhance specific cannabinoid ratios, terpene profiles, flowering times or yields. The extensive inbreeding develops new strains better adapted for large-scale commercial propagation and cultivation.