The purpose of the trial is to assess the agronomic performance of commercially available ammonium bicarbonate as a nitrogen source for cannabis development
Bion Environmental Technologies, a developer of advanced livestock waste treatment technology that dramatically reduces environmental impacts while recovering high-value coproducts, announced that its cannabis trials are starting at Southern Illinois University, using commercial ammonium bicarbonate as a nitrogen fertiliser.
The purpose of the trial is to assess the agronomic performance of commercially available ammonium bicarbonate (AB) as a nitrogen source for cannabis development, compared to more traditional nitrogen fertilizer. If the results of this trial are positive, as expected, additional trials will be conducted using Bion’s AD Nitrogen when it becomes available in sufficient quantities in 2022. The results of subsequent AD Nitrogen trials, if warranted, would be expected to mirror the results demonstrated by the commercial AB product. Planning, design, and preparation for the study will commence this week. The trial will continue through September, followed by lab analysis, with a report expected in February 2022.
SIU’s School of Agricultural Sciences will conduct the trial for Bion, to determine the effect of ammonium bicarbonate (AB) fertiliser on cannabinoid and terpene development in three different cultivars of the cannabis plant: BAOX, Cherry Citrus, and Super CBD. There will be three experimental treatments: 1) ammonium bicarbonate, 2) standard 12-12-12 fertiliser product, and 3) no additional treatment beyond Scotts Miracle-Gro Osmocote, following transplant like the others, as a control group.
The trial will include 27 plants in total. Following the predetermined growth cycle, analysis conducted will include cannabinoids (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and 19 different terpenes, which determine flavour, aroma and other consumer-related characteristics.
