Strains vs. genotypes Can of Worms

[WashougalWonder]

I learned in my early growing days that there is only one "species" of cannabis scientifically speaking, and that is Cannabis sativa. (See Jorge Cervantes teachings, et. al.)

We all well know there are definate differences between indica, sativa, afghan, and crosses. Loosely we refer to them as strains or species, which is not a correct way to refer to these various plants that have essentially different faces....and with that, I quote


"Genotype: The genetic constitution (the genome) of a cell, an individual or an organism. The genotype is distinct from its expressed features, or phenotype.

The genotype of a person is her or his genetic makeup. It can pertain to all genes or to a specific gene. "

Genotype definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8472)

So maybe we as a special interest group need to start speaking of cannabis properly with many different genotypes that definately are different. Hopefully someday Science will declare the species we so frequently throw around.....indica.

Too heavy duty or wanna visit about this?
WaWo

[sarah louise]

Loosely we refer to them as strains or species...

The only problem I can see is that you are confusing the word strain with the word species, they don't mean the same thing.

Describing a plant as an indica dominant genotype means exactly the same thing as calling it an indica dominant strain or an indica dominant cultivar.

As far as I can see it's a non-issue.

[senorx12562]

If " indica" and "sativa" were different "species," There would exist NO crosses or hybrids of the two, as members of different species cannot breed, is that not correct?

[sarah louise]

Hybrids made from crossing different species usually result in infertile offspring. Generally you need to be working within the same species or possibly with different subspecies of the same species to get fertile offspring.

[WashougalWonder]

The only problem I can see is that you are confusing the word strain with the word species,

Well personally I call the variations genotypes (of a species).

Senor.... Exactly.....There definately is more than just the scientifically identified Cannabis Sativa, else we would not have such wonderful variatons.