Microorganisms play a vital role in helping cannabis plants to grow properly. They also help to keep your soil free from harmful organisms that could negatively impact your plants’ health and growth.
There are many types of microorganisms that can help your cannabis plant grow, including bacteria, fungi and nematodes. Understanding their role in your cultivation is key to maximizing yields and improving the quality of your cannabis harvest.
Bacteria
Bacteria are one of the most important organisms in the soil because they decompose minerals to make them more accessible to your plants. They also help in preventing disease and enhance the growth of your plant. In addition, bacteria are a key component of Mycorrhizae, a symbiotic relationship between plant and fungus whereby the fungi provide food for the plant while enhancing its ability to absorb nutrients.
There are many different types of bacteria that can infect your cannabis plant and each one has their own benefits or problems. Some are parasitic and will kill your plants while others are symbiotic and can help your plant grow healthier.
Infection with microorganisms can lead to a variety of diseases that can damage your plant, including root rot, bud rot, and even foliar fungi. This is why it is essential to know how to protect your cannabis from any bacteria that may be present in the soil.
Although most of the harmful microorganisms do not cause any problems at low levels, some of them can cause severe issues to your plant and produce toxins that can be dangerous for humans and animals. The best way to avoid these harmful microorganisms is to ensure that you grow your plants in a clean environment and use good growing practices.
The cannabis industry is currently faced with a number of emerging pathogens and insect pests that are difficult to control. These include a range of stem-infecting and inflorescence-infecting pathogens that occur indoors and outdoors.
Fungi
As cannabis plants grow, their roots aerate the soil, breaking up inorganic substances and releasing a variety of nutrients and micronutrients. These compounds, such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, are more accessible to the plant than they might otherwise be.
As these minerals are released, microbes begin to consume them and metabolize them into forms more easily absorbed by the plant. This process makes them easier to access, which helps the plant thrive as it grows and reaches its full potential.
Bacteria and fungi play an important role in the development of a healthy nutrient-rich soil. They also help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil, helping to prevent deficiencies while encouraging growth.
Many beneficial bacteria and fungi are present in rhizospheres, the zone of soil surrounding plant roots. They are known to improve nutrient uptake, protect your plants against pathogens and toxins, and provide chelators that increase the plant’s nutrient content.
Another beneficial type of bacteria is cyanobacteria, which produce and release oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. This oxygen helps to keep your cannabis plants fresh and reduce stress.
Fungi are known to improve plant health by improving nutrient uptake, combating diseases, and producing antibiotics to protect your plants. They are also capable of preventing root-eating nematodes from damaging your cannabis roots.
Nematodes are microscopic worm-like creatures that live in the soil and are a common cause of plant damage. These types of nematodes can attack the roots of plants and cause wilting, stunted growth, and discoloration of leaves.
These nematodes can also affect the air quality around your garden, making it harmful to those in nearby homes and businesses as well. In addition, they can contribute to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.
Mycorrhizal fungi, which are beneficial to the soil, can help your cannabis grow by attaching to the roots of your plant and forming a symbiotic relationship with them. This can lead to increased yields and a stronger, healthier plant.
Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic worms that live in the soil, usually near plants, and help to decompose dead organic matter, which provides nutrients to the plants. Some nematodes are parasitic, while others are beneficial to the plants and their environment.
Parasitic nematodes are the main enemies of cannabis crops and cause substantial damage. These nematodes are responsible for about 15% of the world’s crop losses, equating to US$78 billion.
These nematodes are found in all types of soil, including those containing high levels of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They feed on these nutrients and can also eat other microorganisms, making them important for maintaining soil health.
There are thousands of species of nematodes, so it’s important to know which ones are good for your crops and which aren’t. Some nematodes, like bacterial-feeding nematodes (BFNs), can be a boon to your plants because they have a close relationship with specific species of bacteria. The bacterial associates help the nematodes to infect and kill insects.
The nematodes can also help your cannabis plant get access to nutrients that it would otherwise have trouble obtaining in the soil. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Some nematodes are able to move through the soil, while others can only penetrate the roots of plants and feed directly on them. This is known as ectoparasitic nematode activity.
Another type of nematode is called an endoparasitic nematode. These nematodes have an internal’stylet’ that pierces the root cells and sucks out the cell contents.
This waste contains essential nutrients, but it can also contain pathogenic organisms that can make the plant sick. In addition, the nematodes can destroy valuable soil microorganisms that are beneficial to your cannabis plant.
Nematode populations can be managed by sanitation, fallowing, and crop rotation. Depending on the species, some of these methods can reduce the nematode population in the soil for a year or two, but they are only effective if you don’t grow susceptible crops. To avoid this, it is important to adjust your planting dates to cooler times of the season when nematode activity is low.
Mycorrhizae
Whether you are an outdoor grower or an indoor cannabis grower, understanding the importance of soil microorganisms is crucial to a healthy and profitable crop. The microorganisms in the soil help plants to better absorb nutrients, protect them from pests and diseases, and increase their resilience to environmental changes and stressors.
Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial for many plants, including cannabis. They form symbiotic relationships with plant roots and are highly effective in improving their health, growth and yield.
They can also improve soil structure and fertility, and promote a living soil food web. They are particularly useful in nutrient-poor and acidic soils, such as those found in forests or other natural areas.
In addition, mycorrhizae can enhance the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients by plant roots. This helps them absorb nutrients more effectively and grow faster, which is especially important for flowering crops that need to reach their full potential.
Another important benefit of mycorrhizae is their ability to build up water reserves that can be accessed by plant roots when the soil becomes dry or depleted of water. This enables plants to survive droughts without becoming stressed or weak, avoiding excessive water demands that can damage their overall performance.
Mycorrhizae granules can be easily added to soil or potting mix to improve the nutrient content of a growing medium. This can be a helpful addition to potting mixes that are lacking these fungi or to improve the quality of your garden soil when planting new seedlings or transplanting existing indoor-raised plants outside.
The granules are available in powdered form and can be mixed with your soil or applied directly to the roots of your plant. This can be a simple and inexpensive way to ensure that your cannabis plants are getting all the support they need when they need it most.
Mycorrhizal fungi can also enhance the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, boron and other essential nutrients by plant roots. This help them absorb nutrients more effectively and grow faster, particularly in nutrient-poor and acidic potting soils.
