Cannabis Cultivation

Germicidal UV Applications / Farming & Aquaculture / Cannabis Cultivation

Cannabis Cultivation has grown dramatically in the last 10 years

Prior to its recreational legalization, marijuana was either grown illegally or imported from other countries. However, since Colorado and Washington legalized it in 2012, and many other states followed suit, the use of cannabis and its derivatives such as CBD oil and hemp fiber has skyrocketed. The cannabis cultivation market in the U.S. alone is fast approaching $40 billionopen_in_new.

This increased need has resulted in an explosion of dispensaries across the country. With the increase of retail outlets for hemp products comes a greater need for cannabis cultivation facilities. As shown below, ultraviolet disinfection is an essential component to supplying quality cannabis.

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Cannabis cultivation facility with annual revenue stats

Growing Cannabis Isn’t Easy!

Seeing this increased demand and the economic opportunity, many have embarked on this business which is at the forefront of technical horticultureopen_in_new, not realizing that a cannabis grower faces numerous challenges. Growing a healthy, abundant cannabis crop is not as simple as placing some seeds in fertile soil or hydrating a row of plants. Modern cannabis cultivation requires persistence, patience, and creativity, especially since medicinal uses require precise methods for safety reasons.

Factors for Growing Quality Cannabis

Growers and breeders have their hands full producing a high yield of quality cannabis. For consistency and productive buds, growers must combine numerous species under very particular growing conditionsopen_in_new. Whether growing in the controlled environment of an indoor facility or using a greenhouse, some of the factors they must consider are:

Nutrition
Water
Lighting
Temperature
Humidity

Cannabis Cultivation faces a constant battle to maintain healthy plants and yield an abundant harvest

While a moist habitat is necessary for growing plants of any kind, high humidity is lethal to successful cannabis cultivation. An overly moist environment promotes the outbreak of any number of plant-killing diseases. Two of the more prevalent culprits are the microorganisms Botrytis cinerea and Podosphaera macularis. You may know them by their more common names, Gray Mold and Powdery Mildew. The very mention of these molds causes cannabis growers to shudder, because they relentlessly attack their crop, cutting into their profits. Cannabis companies suffer substantial financial lossesopen_in_new due to these destructive fungi. One bad test sample may require entire batches to be discarded.

Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea or gray mold manifests itself at first as a white growth but over time darkens to smokey gray, softening the plant as cells are destroyed. While it may develop anywhere in the natural world, it is frequently introduced into the sterile environment of a growing room as the spores latch onto the clothes of workers, who then unknowingly bring it into the facility. As overly humid air creates an environment perfectly suited for this mold to thrive, unsuspecting plants fall victim to the hungry microbe. Overly humid air creates an environment perfectly suited for this mold to thrive. Proper disinfection methods upon entering the cannabis cultivation facility would help counteract this frequent scenario.

The beginnings of mold on a cannabis plant

Podosphaera macularis

Botrytis’ evil twin, Podosphaera macularis, thrives in places of overcrowded, over-watered plants and high humidity, adversely affecting the healthy growth of cannabis crops in indoor facilities and greenhouses. Young leaves of cannabis plants showing a white or grey powdery-fuzzy substance, small blisters on the top of leaves and a rotting smell are all clear indications that white powdery mold is on the attack. Once it has infected a plant’s leaves, it spreads easily to other areas of the plant. Infected buds become unusable. This relentless microorganism may attack at three different stagesopen_in_new of cannabis cultivation: the vegetative stage, the flowering stage, and the drying/curing stage.

Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Penicillium

During the drying phase, another group of molds (Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Penicillum) take aim specifically at dead plants. While oven-dried plants suffer less mold than when air dried, the latter is preferred by consumers and boasts no negative effects.

Although [air filtration and chemical treatment] can be effective in combating microbial threats to cannabis production, the cleanest, most direct way of inactivating them is to use ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI).
Engineered Systems Magazine, Cannabis Cultivation Facilities: UV-C’s Role in Protecting Crops & Efficiency

Drying phase molds (shown clockwise from top): Aspergillus Niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium

Common treatments for infestations of mold at cannabis cultivation facilities

Within cultivation rooms and greenhouses, the best initial practice to thwart Gray mold and Powdery mildew is clean air circulationopen_in_new, which is a product of these essential practices:

Leaving adequate space between plants
Defoliating (removing dead leaves)
Regulating humidity to keep the air from becoming too saturated
Using circulation methods to increase airflow and air exchange

Fungicides are often used in an attempt to prevent these microbial intruders from infecting cannabis crops. However, these stubborn molds have developed immunityopen_in_new to various chemical treatments. Besides, this form of treatment can leave hazardous residuesopen_in_new in its wake and incur repeated costs.

While the essential practices mentioned above are a good start in the war against gray mold and powdery mildew, there is another strategy that every cannabis cultivation facility could benefit from. Germicidal ultraviolet air and surface disinfectionopen_in_new provides chemical-free inactivation of these molds.

Air & Surface Disinfection Systems to Improve Cannabis Cultivation

As long ago as 1890, UV-C treatment to render microorganisms inactive was discovered, tested, and ultimately accepted in the scientific community as viable. Throughout the 20^th century, the process has been perfected. The disinfection method known as UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) is used to control microbial pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, and mold in air, on surfaces, and in water. Germicidal ultraviolet light, emitted at 254 nanometers over a certain amount of time and intensity (based upon the particular microorganism being treated) will attack and damage links in its DNA chain, rendering it unable to replicate and suspending its proliferation.

At Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation^®, our UV-C air and surface disinfection models can be used in several ways to combat microorganisms in cannabis cultivation growing and drying rooms:

Air Ducts

Air ducts, a known haven for mold, should be treated with UV disinfection. Our AeroLogic^® models easily install near the cooling coils (where spores are most likely to develop), treating them with UV light and rendering them inoperative before they spread throughout the building. Shop modelsopen_in_new

Circulation & Ventilation

Increased airflow and air exchange should be combined with UV treatment to help protect cannabis from disease-causing mold. Our Sanitaire^® UV-C Room Air Sanitizers are designed to fill those needs. Shop modelsopen_in_new

Directly on Surfaces

Work benches, seedling trays, surfaces, and tools should be directly disinfected with UV rays in labs and in between drying batches. Our Sanidyne^®, SaniLight^®, SaniRay^®, and SaniUV-Cube™ models will inactivate spores that may be transported and recirculated around the room by drying fans. Since these products have UV-C lamps exposed, rooms cannot be occupied during these treatments and plants should not be present. Shop modelsopen_in_new

Water Disinfection

We know success in the cannabis industry involves the careful processes of growing and drying. But don’t forget to create the optimal conditions for your plants to thrive. Cultivate your cannabis with UV purified water to decrease the likelihood of diseased plants. Sanitron^® and MightyPure^® will provide your farm with the water flow requirements you need. Shop modelsopen_in_new