Grodan in collaboration with F1 SeedTechhas announced the successful completion of a cannabis cultivation trial program.
Conducted at the CRIC Labs in Montreal, the program began in October 2023 and was built on a 2022 European collaborative study that demonstrated the potential to improve yield, resource efficiency, and consistency of cannabis crops grown in stone wool media with F1 hybrid seeds.
This research program, which includes five trials, highlights advancements in cannabis production and input efficiency.
Frank Janssen, Product Development Manager at Grodan said: "This trial proves that stone wool produces a more efficient and beneficial growing environment when compared to organic growing media, which is shown through the grams of flower produced per liter of water and nutrients. The size of the substrate significantly impacts irrigation frequency and volume. Specifically, the volume of growing media required for organic substrates is typically larger compared to stone wool. This necessitates more frequent irrigation, meaning more water and nutrients are used in organic media cultivations."
Key findings of the trial program included an improvement in yield (Achieved a maximum production rate of 9,4 kg/m² (1.93 lbs/ft²) of dried cannabis flower annually), higher resource efficiency compared to organic growing media. The trial focused on water and light efficiency ratios, showing that growers can achieve more yield without increasing their relative spend on inputs such as light, water and nutrients compared to organic growing media), and improvements in consistency which demonstrated high uniformity in plant growth and final product quality.
Frank adds, "Moreover, by facilitating more generative growth with stone wool growing media, your flower to leaf ratio is higher compared to other growing media. When you add in the gains demonstrated also in our previous trials – such as better plant uniformity, resulting in less waste, and the labor savings associated with a more steerable and predictable crop – this approach can actually decrease a grower's operational costs."
Maikel de Bresser, COO of F1 SeedTech said: "The ability to utilize root zone and climate management to steer crop growth is invaluable. Coupled with high-quality genetics, this approach maximizes the potential value and yield of our crops. The success of this trial is a game-changer for cannabis growers. Thanks to the high-quality seeds from F1 SeedTech, plants grown in stone wool exhibit strong rooting, providing a clean start with a reduced chance of diseases."
Attendees of the 2024 MJBiz Conference can hear Frank Janssen and Maikel de Bresser present these findings at Grodan's booth (#47023) in the Cultivation Pavilion.
For more information:
Grodan
www.grodan.com
F1 SeedTech
www.f1seedtech.com