Plant Health
The SAR response we discussed earlier has benefits beyond pest and disease resistance . Studies on many different varieties of commercial crops have shown increased production of secondary metabolites like flavonoids , stilbenoids , terpenoids , lignans , and alkaloids in plants treated with chitosan . This ability to increase oil production may be another weapon in the plants ’ insect defense arsenal , and it stands to reason that cannabinoids would be among the compounds produced . Other studies have linked chitosan exposure with increased brix levels . Exposing your plants to chitosan won ’ t just make your buds stickier ; it might increase their sugar content .
“ Studies on many different varieties of commercial crops have shown increased production of secondary metabolites like flavonoids , stilbenoids , terpenoids , lignans , and alkaloids in plants treated with chitosan .”
Chitosan is also a powerful micronutrient chelator with a strong positive ionic charge . It travels through the xylem and phloem easily , and a foliar- or root-drench application can distribute nutrients throughout the plant within minutes . This chelating ability and positive charge should be taken into consideration when mixing up a hydroponic or foliar solution , since negatively charged minerals , like some forms of phosphorus , will eventually bond with the chitosan ions and become unavailable to the plant . This same action may have the potential to worsen nutrient deficiencies in some scenarios , so be sure to use a product that ’ s compatible with the other nutrients and supplements in your feeding program .
Another important benefit of chitosan is its role in drought resistance . Plants exposed to a foliar application will quickly constrict their stomata . This may again be in response to a perceived threat of infestation , since small pathogens can enter the plant through stomatal openings . Constricting the stomata gives the plant the ability to reduce transpiration and save water without impacting yields . That could be especially important for outdoor cannabis plants in dry environments . Many of the effects of chitosan have been known for more than a century , and researchers are still finding new uses for this amazing material . Test applications of chitosan on various plant species have shown an increase in the size and growth rate of roots , and an increase in the number , size , and quality of flowers . Fruits and flowers treated with chitosan have shown longer post-harvest life and higher market value . Despite ongoing research , the mechanism of action for most of these functions remains largely unclear .
Conclusion
With more and more benefits being discovered , chitosan might just be the magic-bullet supplement cannabis growers have been looking for , doing what macro- and micronutrients can ’ t do on their own . Chitosan combined with beneficial bacteria creates a powerful enzymatic barrier against pathogens , and the activation of the SAR response elicits many health benefits for the plant . The natural abundance of chitin combined with the solubility of chitosan makes these products sustainable and easy to use . Give chitosan a try and see how it can improve your garden .
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