Crop genetics are a critical tool for commercial farmers. It allows them to select plants for improvement and hybridization while maximizing their crop productivity.
Cannabis crops have a wide variety of traits that impact yield, which means growers must experiment to achieve their desired results. This requires sophisticated data collection and precise control of environmental parameters.
Varieties
Crop genetics are a powerful tool to improve cannabis yields. They can help growers overcome some of their plant’s innate limitations, including space and lighting. In addition, many new strains are available with improved terpene production and potency.
There are a variety of ways to use crop genetics, from selecting new strains that perform best in a particular environment to focusing on improving the rhizosphere or the soil below the roots. Some of these techniques are easy to implement and others require additional research, but they all help ensure that the plants are more resilient to stress and maximize their yields.
One important element of crop genetics is genepool variability, which refers to the diversity of the genes carried by a crop species. The variation is caused by nucleotide differences within the genome and can lead to changes in a protein’s function.
This variability can also be influenced by environmental conditions, such as temperature and light intensity. A recent study evaluated the influence of supplemental UV radiation on the yield and phytocannabinoid content of two different cannabis cultivars. The authors found that the total dry weight of apical inflorescences decreased with increasing levels of UV exposure, but the changes were not statistically significant.
Another factor that can impact the growth of plants is their agronomic practices, such as fertilization and irrigation. A few studies have assessed the effect of these practices on yield, while others have looked at how they affect other plant traits.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Horticultural Science assessed the effectiveness of several management techniques on plant architecture and the production of phytocannabinoids, including defoliation, topping and pruning treatments. It found that a single treatment, which involved leaf removal, increased the concentration of CBDVA and THCVA, but reduced inflorescence yields.
Other studies have evaluated how different management practices affect plant yield, such as the application of biostimulants and agrochemicals [77, 78]. These methods can improve plant health by triggering rapid flowering, producing larger buds and more consistent harvests.
While many of these techniques can be implemented without the need for extensive research, there are still risks associated with their use. These risks include contamination of water and air with unwanted compounds, and potential health hazards. In addition, these techniques may not be appropriate for specific environments. This is why it’s best to rely on the advice of experienced growers who can give you a better idea of what will work for your cultivation needs.
Soil
Using crop genetics can help you improve yields in the vegetative stage of your grow. It can also increase the number of plants per square foot, and reduce the amount of media and nutrients you need to achieve your desired outcome.
Crop genetics are the genes that make a strain unique. They determine how the plant will grow, its morphology, and its potency. They are essential to growing cannabis efficiently and producing a high-quality product.
You can use crop genetics to increase the strength and yield of your harvest by selecting varieties that have strong resistance to diseases and pests, as well as a high level of trichome production. Increasing your crops’ resistance to diseases can save you time and money in the long run, and it will help ensure your plants are healthy enough to produce a robust crop every time.
Another important crop genetics tip is to choose a variety that has a high concentration of beneficial microorganisms. These are organisms that live in the soil and work to improve your crops’ health. These organisms help your plants extract nutrients, hydrate themselves, and produce more flowers and buds.
One of the most popular ways to increase your cannabis yields is by feeding your plants with organic fertilizers that are easily absorbed by their roots. There are many different types of organic fertilizers, but three of the most popular ones are compost tea, liquid fertilizers, and micronutrient sprays.
Compost tea is a natural and self-sustaining source of organic nutrients that helps your plants grow faster and stronger. It is made by combining water and compost, then allowing it to steep for a while before applying it to your plants.
Liquid fertilizers are a great way to add additional nutrients and enhance the growth of your cannabis plants without having to worry about how much you’re spending. They also help to prevent disease and fungi, which can cause damage to your harvest.
Adding micronutrients like molasses to your cannabis plants is another good idea to increase their yields. This is because molasses contains many vitamins and minerals that your plants need to thrive.
Lighting
Crop genetics can help growers close the yield gap by giving cannabis cultivars all the resources they need to maximize photosynthesis. In turn, those resources can help growers improve yields by increasing the amount of chlorophyll produced or by encouraging plants to produce more flower buds and trichomes.
The key to maximizing crop yield is to ensure that the plant has access to the right resources at all times, says Ben Higgins, Ph.D., chief scientist at KIS Organics and a research scientist at Gold Leaf Gardens in Washington state. This includes ensuring peak availability of water and lighting.
For example, he recommends using Blumats(r) auto-watering drip emitters to optimize irrigation. These systems automatically detect and respond to changes in water needs, taking the guesswork out of determining when and how much to water a cannabis crop during different growth cycles.
He also advises growers to use LED lights to increase cannabis yields by optimizing the intensity of light during each stage of the plant’s growing cycle. These lights use a mix of red and white LEDs that provide cannabis plants with the same wavelengths of light that are found in nature, which helps the plant absorb more chlorophyll and produces higher levels of THC.
Another way to improve cannabis yields is by using supplemental lighting. This involves delivering more light to specific parts of the marijuana plant, like its sides and lower branches. Generally, these lights are used in the vegetative and flowering stages to improve the size of the buds on these branches.
This kind of side lighting is not typically used by most recreational growers, but it can be an effective technique for medical growers who want to maximize their harvests. In addition, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost crop yields.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment demonstrated that LED lighting can deliver up to 1800 micromoles per square meter (mmol m-2 s-1) of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). That is a major step up from previous estimates, and it shows that LED lights can be used to enhance crop yields.
Water
When it comes to crop genetics, there are several factors that can influence yields. Some of these include climate control, light intensity and nutrient levels. Using these factors to your advantage can significantly increase the amount of flower that your plants produce.
Water is also a critical factor in crop development. It can provide the nutrients that your plants need to grow, as well as help prevent pests and diseases from entering your facility.
Getting a grip on the amount of water that your facility uses is essential for any cannabis grower. This will ensure that you have enough water to keep your plants happy and healthy, while avoiding the cost of having to pay for additional water.
In addition, the type of water that your plants use can affect the quality of their final harvest. This is especially true when they have built up excess salts and harsh chemicals that could compromise the taste, texture and smell of the flowers they produce.
For this reason, it is important to flush your plants before harvest. Having the right water will make a big difference to your cannabis yields.
While you can use plain water, a more effective approach is to flush your plants with a solution that uses empty chelates, which can get rid of the extra salts, acids and other harsh chemical residues they have built up during their growth cycle. This will ensure that they have the cleanest, sweetest cannabis harvest possible.
Aside from flushing, you can also use a water filtration system to help your plants get rid of any leftover chemicals and other compounds that they have collected during their growth cycle. This will improve the final aroma and flavor of your harvest, as well as decrease any pest or disease issues that might occur.
Finally, the type of lighting that you use can also play a significant role in your cannabis yields. Some lights, such as HPS and LEDs, can help your plants grow faster and yield more buds than conventional MH lamps.
The lighting that you choose can have a major impact on your cannabis yields, so it’s worth taking the time to find out what works best for your facility. The right lighting will ensure that your plants have the most effective growing conditions possible, while also saving you money in the long run.
