STUNTED....... or just bad genetics??

I have a question about genetics. If you plant two seeds and grow them in the same way but with a big margin of error, and the result is that one is ok and the second is stunted, could random genetic differences within a same fem seed batch be the cause of one seedling being a week or two behind? Or would that be extremely improbable (from a reputable seed bank) and thus leave the "margin of error" in my cultivation technique to blame for the one seedling being stunted and not the other?

I need to know for a very specific reason: Now that the stunted seedling has fully recovered, it should be expected to flower into a very small plant (it is an autoflowering strain). And instead of wasting space I thought I would flip it with GA3 and collect its pollen but my worry is that if the plant stunting was caused by a genetic trait then I would be passing it on to its offspring and that wouldn't be good news...

So in your opinion, can seedling stunting be caused by a random genetic trait or mutation?

Thanks

There are way to many variables in the mix to blame mis handling,

even over watering on your part, to cause an short plant

Applying Gibberellic Acid now may well increase its vertical growth

as Gibberlien is a hormone responsible for vertical/stem growth also

either way you idea is sound, besides you won't know until you try

and report back

good luck

It could be genetic, environmental, or grower error. Its not unusual for plants of the same strain, same parents to grow and look different than each other. Just like people from the same parents don't all look alike. I wouldn't give up on it yet just because its a little behind. It could catch up, maybe finish looking better than the other on. I would make some seeds if you can. its can be expensive having to buy seeds every couple months when you could make them for free.