For centuries, cannabis plants have thrived in nature without human intervention, but in today’s commercial cannabis industry, human intervention is required – often to the detriment of the plants’ natural needs. In controlled environment agriculture (CEA), plants are even more sequestered from the things they want and need from nature.
In a recent interview with CIOReview, bio365 co-founder and CEO Michael Klein explains how cannabis growers can get the best possible results when they prioritize plant DNA.
CIOReview journalist, Justin Smith, writes, “Irrefutably, plants need nature and symbiotic relationships with soil microbiology to reach the full potential of their chemotype expression, a requirement even carefully selected microbe amendments seldom fulfill.” These relationship needs are built into the cannabis plant’s DNA. If ignored, plants won’t thrive. It’s that simple.
The solution to the problem is to give plants access to the nature they require. But how do you do it in CEA?
This is the exact problem that bio365 living soils solve, and it’s just one of the reasons bio365 was named one of the 10 Most Promising Agtech Solution Providers of 2023 by CIOReview. This annual list recognizes companies that are at the forefront of providing agtech solutions and transforming businesses.
Michael explains, “bio365 living soil honors the plant’s DNA and stimulates on-demand delivery of water and nutrients to improve plant health and resilience, boost yields, and most importantly, accurately capture chemotype expression. With biomimicry, bio365 soils provide plants the expected biology living in the root zone, which they can selectively use for critical functions.”
Of course, growers will ask how a biologically-active soil could actually be clean – a necessity for CEA. The answer comes from science and a collection of 10 patents that bio365 has been awarded for its breakthrough innovations. In addition, quality control is crucial to maintain consistency in every batch and manufacturing location.
In addition to bio365’s 41-step quality control process and strict quality control and quality analysis protocols, we test both raw materials and finished goods. As Michael shared with CIOReview, “We use production IPM (Integrated Pest Management). We use beneficial nematodes, and hypoaspis mites to reduce fungal pressures in the soil. Our unique production capabilities allow us to deliver the cleanest, most consistent substrates in the industry.”
Bottom-line, bio365 living soils pave the way for plants to form symbiotic relationships with microbiology in controlled environments – exactly what plants’ DNA is looking for from nature. As a result, bio365 grow media generates visible and measurable improvements for cannabis growers.
Plants Need Human Intervention Second
A plant’s DNA tells it what it needs to thrive. In CEA, where many aspects of nature are simulated, plants may need human intervention. That’s when it’s essential to collaborate with experts who have a deep understanding and vast experience in plant DNA and the symbiotic relationships plants have with soil microbiology.
Michael shares, “bio365 product development is driven by working closely with customers on problems around specific improvements or addressing nuances that benefit everyone.” To that end, bio365’s team of experts work directly with customers throughout trials, provide customers with extensive training, and help them set up their standard operating procedures (SOPs).
In addition, bio365 provides consulting and expertise on everything from amendments and watering to data collection and analysis, operational pitfalls, and recommended solutions to existing or potential problems.
Through this customer-centric approach, Justin writes that bio365 has developed, “a series of technologies that improve CEA cultivation. These groundbreaking soil formulas improve environmental sustainability, diminish the impact of chemical fertilizers, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and create a seamless path to transition to organic agriculture.”
The CIOReview article includes a story about how Columbia Care worked with bio365 to maximize yield and plant expression, harmonize the company’s cross-country efforts, and implement standardized SOPs, which resulted in over twice their annual yield. A separate story in the article explains how Apothca Inc. worked with bio365 to use bio365’s grow media as part of its customized feeding program, which reduced the company’s operational costs and soil usage by one-third.
Follow the link to read the full article and get all the details. The article is also available in the full February 25, 2023 issue of CIOReview Magazine.
Key Takeaways about Plant DNA in CEA for the Cannabis Industry
The reality is cannabis plants grown in controlled environments won’t reach their full potential if the plants’ DNA and critical relationship with nature and soil microbiology are not prioritized. Plants want what nature can give to them. The way to deliver what they need in CEA starts with using bio365 clean living soil.
Ready to try bio365 grow media? Follow the link to start a trial or contact us to talk to a soil expert.