Researchers: Adam Floyd and Josh Cosgrove
Project Title: BioDox Cannabis Growth Trial
Date: 02/05/2023
Objective:
The primary goal of this experiment is to showcase the safe and effective use of BioDox (aqueous chlorine dioxide) on cannabis plants. BioDox was applied in addition to a standard fertilizer regiment. BioDox is a liquid solution that is diluted and used as a root drench and foliar spray. Growth, yield, potency, and terpene content will all be considerations in the efficacy of the product. A total of four treatments will be utilized in the overall efficacy of the study.
Materials & Methods:
Wedding Crashers was the strain selected for this study. A total of four treatments were utilized in this trial using four replicates per treatment. The BioDox will be applied at the following rates: 2, 4, and 8 mL per gallon. A standard fertilizer regiment will be applied to each of the treatments. The total growth cycle of the plants will be 12 weeks. Leaf tissue samples were collected every two weeks and analyzed for mineral nutrient concentrations. The samples will be analyzed on a dry weight basis using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and combustion analysis. In addition, yield, potency, and terpene content were measured. Potency was measured using a high-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with a diode array detector. Terpenes were measured using headspace gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HSGC/MS)
Use Site: Palomar Craft Cannabis
Crop Cultivar/Source: Wedding Crasher (Indica Dominate Hybrid)
Potting/Rooting Media: Greenlite for 1 gal and Roots Original Organic Soil 5 gal by Aurora Innovations
Growth Stage Used: Entire Harvest Cycle
Number of Reps per Treatment: 4 replicates
Pot Size & Spacing: 1 gal pots in a 6”x6” space and 5 gal pots in a 1.77’x1.77’ space
Arvum Plant Labs Project Report Form
Treatments were applied on the following dates:
11/7/22
11/11/22
11/16/22
11/21/22
Yield
The plants were dried, cured, and trimmed prior to separation and weighing. The average yield per plant of each bud size is listed in table 2.
Potency
There was not a substantial difference in potency values from the control sample and the treated samples.
Terpene Profile
The terpene values trended upwards with the use of BioDox with 14% higher yields and 12% higher terpenes.
Discussion:
Potency values did not change from the treated to untreated samples. The yield and terpene values both trended upward with the use of BioDox with 14% higher yields and 12% higher terpenes. The application of BioDox does not appear to negatively affect the chemical profile of the plant. Powdery mildew was observed on the control plants. None of the treated plants exhibited symptoms of powdery mildew, while it was present on the untreated plants (see below).
Powdery mildew on the control plants not sprayed with Biodox
SUMMARY
BioDox as a foliar spray in cannabis cultivation successfully managed Powdery Mildew compared to the control group without adverse affects. Unexpected side benefits of using BioDox included higher yields and terpenes compared to the control. This may be contributed to increasing photosynthesis by oxidating the biofilm layer on the leaf surface allowing the plant to uptake more light, producing greater yields. The additional terpenes may be contributed to this same effect due to increased light exposure on the leaf. These affects need to be studied more closely to understand the exact mechanism driving these results. These observations are promising and merit further study.
BioDox may be used directly on cannabis plants as part of an Integrated Pest Management program without adverse affects to the soil, plants, or finished flower.
Plants being treated with BioDox
Untreated plants from the control group
Plants treated with BioDox
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