They operate in tandem, nute recycling acts as the vital execution mechanism for autophagy, this defines senescence. Natural senescence is a genetically programmed developmental stage aimed at nutrient recycling, whereas triggered autophagy is a rapid survival response activated by environmental stress. While both processes utilize the vacuole to break down cellular material, their triggers, selectivity, and overall goals are entirely different. Cannabis plannt senescence is not separate from nutrient recycling protocols; rather, nutrient recycling is the primary physiological purpose of senescence, and autophagy serves as the core switch mechanism executing both processes.
Takes about 24 to 48 hours to notice visible changes once the signals have initiated the autophagic response. Not too late at all. A little bit of fade from senescence 2 weeks from harvest is normal and genetically expected, send the c:n signal 1 week from harvest for best effect in your organic grow.
Understanding what makes leaves fade is not always senseceance but also strongly linked to rubisco regeneration. That's a whole other subject. Vital to understand the differences if you want correct diagnosis and to transition from hobby grower to master stoner, differentiating between a true genetic fade and a decline in photosynthetic proteins.
Nitrate is nitrate, whether it oxidizes or not is not up for debate. If its not sunk by the plant you are smoking some if not all of, it regardless of what your feelings are on the matter. Senescence is highly critical. It is the natural end-of-life stage where the plant redirects energy to ripen flowers. Properly managed, it breaks down harsh chlorophyll, allowing the terpenes (which provide taste and aroma) to peak. Harvesting outside this window leads to an "unripe" or degraded flavor comparable to going without.
Now that we got that out the way.
To inititate the response you seek you can trigger it multiple ways, when growing synthetically its triggered by nutrient starvation, generally when the entire medium is flushed. This is more to do with N starvation than being entirely empty. Nonetheless. PK boosters are N starvation through maximizing P and K. (Generally only works for synthetic grows)
Because you are using oganic nutes and you want to maintain the rhizosphere what you want to do is add carbon in the form of sugars (powdered molasses). Its almost impossible to empty a medium enough when microorganisms are constanlty releasing nutrients into the direct EC. Very difficult to initiate starvation responses with ammoniacal nitrogen.
Manipulating the C:N ratio is the master key to triggering a autophagic response and resulting nutrient recycling in the last days using organic nutes and without having to flush.
Generally not recommended for new growers. So do what you want. But if you don't trigger the plant to dump its nitrates into rootzones you will smoke nitrates as no3- does not oxidize during the dry and cure no matter what you do or how long you dry or cure. Doesn't matter what anyone "feels" about it, how many grows they had with no fade. That's just how it works. If you are purist, this is the way to go 100%
One response many triggers.
P.s crop and drop the clover come flipping to flower, its benefit comes from creating a airy and porous rootzone, this is what feeds your microorganisms when they convert the sugars throughout flower.
Good 👍