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pH Effects of Nitrogen Uptake Ammonium (NO4) Uptake and pH When plants absorb ammonium, they release hydrogen ions (H+) into the media. This increases the acidity of the media over time, decreasing the pH. Nitrate (NO3) Uptake and pH Plants take up nitrate by releasing hydroxide ions (OH–). These ions combine with hydrogen ions to form water. The reduction in hydrogen ions eventually reduces the media acidity increasing the pH. Nitrate (NO3) Absorption Variations Sometimes, plants absorb nitrate differently, either by taking in hydrogen ions or releasing bicarbonate. Like hydroxide ions, bicarbonate reacts with hydrogen ions and indirectly raises the media pH. Understanding these processes helps in choosing the appropriate fertilizer to manage media pH. Depending on the nutrients present, the media’s acidity or alkalinity can be adjusted to optimize plant growth. Risks of Ammoniacal Nitrogen Plants can only absorb a certain amount of nitrogen at a time. However, they have the ability to store excess nitrogen for later use if needed. Nitrate (NO3) vs. Ammonium (NH4) Plants can safely store nitrate, but too much ammonium can harm cells. Thankfully, bacteria in the media convert urea and ammonium to nitrate, reducing the risk of ammonium buildup. Factors Affecting Ammonium (NH4) Levels Certain conditions like low temperatures, waterlogged media, and low pH can prevent bacteria from converting ammonium. This can lead to toxic levels of ammonium in the media, causing damage to plant cells. Symptoms of Ammonium (NH4) Toxicity Upward or downward curling of lower leaves depending on plant species; and yellowing between the veins of older leaves which can progress to cell death. Preventing Ammonium (NH4) Toxicity When it comes to nitrogen breakdown of a nutrient solution, it’s crucial not to exceed 30% of the total nitrogen as ammoniacal nitrogen. Higher levels can lead to toxicity, severe damage, and even plant death. Ideal Nitrogen Ratio for Cannabis Best Nitrogen (NO3) Ratio Research shows that medical cannabis plants respond best to nitrogen supplied in the form of nitrate (NO3). This helps them produce more flowers and maintain healthy levels of secondary compounds. Safe Ammonium (NH4) Levels While high levels of ammonium (NH4) can be harmful to cannabis plants, moderate levels (around 10-30% of the total nitrogen) are are considered most suitable. This level helps prevent leaf burn and pH changes in the media.

Gongrats new master 🙏

Thanks for answering my question the other day, powerful insights!

Yep I agree it’s the only light meter app that comes close enough to being accurate. The NextLight Pro I am using has all white full spectrum diodes and that helps with accuracy.

Hey thanks for all your help. It is a beautiful light but without the capacity to dim it properly I’m not sure how the flowers will develop stuck in the 300- 450 PPFD range. At 50 power the PPFD is too much 1000-1200 in the tent. Sucks.

wow! thanks for all the research😍 just needs to connect to the 3 pin inlet on the light itself

Phosphorus uptake by plants is affected by oxygen availability in the soil. While not directly requiring oxygen to be absorbed, phosphorus availability and root function, which are crucial for uptake, are influenced by soil aeration.

Root Respiration: Plants absorb phosphorus through their roots, and this process requires energy. Root respiration, which is the process of breaking down sugars for energy, is dependent on oxygen. Soil Aeration: Poorly aerated soil (low oxygen) can reduce root respiration, hindering the uptake of phosphorus. Phosphate Transport: The process of transporting phosphorus from the soil into the plant's roots also requires energy, which is generated through root respiration. Mineralization: Oxygen is necessary for the breakdown of organic matter, which can make naturally occurring phosphorus available for plant uptake. Compaction: Soil compaction reduces aeration, affecting root function and phosphorus uptake. Waterlogged Conditions: Excessive moisture can reduce oxygen levels in the soil, impacting root respiration and phosphorus absorption.

Phosphorus binds to several elements in the soil, making it less available for plant uptake, depending on the soil pH. At low pH levels (below 5.5), phosphorus binds to iron and aluminum. At high pH levels (above 7), it binds to calcium. The optimal pH range for phosphorus availability is between 6.0 and 7.0.

Root Pressure: At night, when stomata are typically closed to minimize water loss, root pressure can still push water and dissolved nutrients upwards from the roots. This pressure is generated by the active transport of ions into the root cells, creating a lower water potential than in the surrounding soil. Water follows the ions by osmosis, increasing the pressure within the root xylem. This positive pressure can then force water and nutrients upwards, even without the pull of transpiration. In some cases, this root pressure can result in guttation, where water droplets are secreted from the leaves. 2. Foliar Uptake: Plants can also absorb nutrients through their leaves, especially at night when humidity is higher. When nutrients are present in aerosols or foliar sprays, they can be absorbed directly into the plant tissue. Some studies suggest that the availability of water-soluble nutrients on the leaf surface may even stimulate the opening of stomata at night to facilitate nutrient uptake. 3. Reduced Transpiration but Not Absence: While stomata are generally closed at night to minimize water loss, they may still open slightly, especially if the plant needs to absorb nutrients. This minimal transpiration, combined with root pressure and foliar uptake, can still allow for some nutrient uptake during the night. In summary, while transpiration is the main driver of nutrient uptake during the day, plants also have mechanisms for nutrient uptake at night, including root pressure and foliar absorption, even with reduced transpiration.

Plants do use phosphorus at night. While nutrient uptake may be higher during the day due to increased photosynthesis and transpiration, studies show that a significant portion of nutrient uptake, including phosphorus, can occur during the night. In fact, some studies indicate that nighttime nutrient uptake can be as high as 51% of the total uptake, especially in the early hours of the night.

At night, plants primarily utilize active nutrient uptake mechanisms to absorb nutrients from the soil. This process is driven by the plant's metabolic energy and is less dependent on water uptake than daytime processes. While water uptake via osmosis may still occur, the main mechanism for nutrient absorption at night is an active transport system that moves ions against their concentration gradient, requiring energy from the plant.

Try not to add sulfur after the 3rd week of flower. Sulfur helps with terpene production because it's a key element in building the isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) precursors and is required for activating the enzymes that convert IPP into terpenes. Everyone rages about PK but the real key to next-level flower is sulfur. Just don't add it after week 3 as it can have negative effects on flower smell, taste Yada Yada. 😋 Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) is a white, odorless, bitter, and water-soluble inorganic compound. It's also known as sulfate of potash (SOP), dipotassium sulfate, potash, and arcanite. Potassium sulfate is used as a fertilizer that provides both potassium and sulfur. It's fully water-soluble and can be used in drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. The compound can also be used medicinally as a cathartic. My fave. Used in moderation ofc.

Inflorescence material" refers to the plant structure itself — the cluster of flowers and their supporting stems and branches

(Vitamin C(Ascorbic Acid) is a coenzyme in the xanthophyll cycle, which converts excess energy into heat. This process helps plants protect themselves from too much light. You can remove both chlorine and chloramine in water with the same strategies. Carbon filtration is a very effective method, but it takes a lot of carbon and water/carbon contact to do the job. That’s why Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid) is a better solution. Does ascorbic acid/Vitamin C actually work to remove chlorine? Research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that using ascorbic acid for chlorine is effective and works rapidly. One gram of ascorbic acid will neutralize 1 milligram per liter of chlorine per 100 gallons of water. The reaction is very fast. The chemical reaction (Tikkanen and others 2001) of ascorbic acid with chlorine is shown below: C5H5O5CH2OH + HOCL → C5H3O5CH2OH + HCl + H2O Ascorbic acid + Hypochlorous acid → Dehydroascorbic acid + Hydrochloric acid + water Vitamin C effectively neutralizes chlorine and is safer to handle than sulfur-based dechlorination chemicals. The sodium ascorbate form of vitamin C has less affect on pH than the ascorbic acid form. When neutralizing a strong chlorine solution, both forms of vitamin C will lower slightly the dissolved oxygen of the treated water.

when the pH is above 7, phosphorus can bind with calcium, potentially leading to calcium deficiency. This is because phosphate (PO4) readily forms insoluble calcium phosphate compounds in alkaline (high pH) conditions, reducing the availability of both calcium and phosphate for absorption.

In plants, senescence, or programmed cell death, is often triggered by nutrient limitations, particularly nitrogen deficiency, to remobilize nutrients to developing parts of the plant. However, the relationship between senescence and nutrient availability, including nitrogen, is complex and can be influenced by various factors. While senescence is generally associated with nutrient remobilization under limiting conditions, it can also be influenced by developmental signals, hormonal responses, and other environmental cues. Senescence and Nutrient Remobilization: Nutrient Limitation: Plants often initiate leaf senescence (a type of programmed cell death) when they experience nutrient limitations, particularly nitrogen deficiency, to remobilize these nutrients from older, senescing leaves to younger, developing leaves and seeds. Nitrogen Remobilization: A significant portion of the nitrogen in a plant is stored in chloroplasts as proteins. During senescence, these proteins are degraded, and the nitrogen is released as amino acids and eventually transported to other parts of the plant, like developing seeds. Not Just Nitrogen: Senescence is not solely triggered by nitrogen deficiency. It can also be triggered by other nutrient limitations and various environmental and developmental cues. Senescence, Nitrogen, and Abundance: Developmental Signals: Senescence can also be triggered by developmental signals, like reproductive development. Hormonal Regulation: Plant hormones, such as abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, and jasmonic acid, can promote senescence, while cytokinins and gibberellins can suppress it. Environmental Factors: External factors like light, temperature, and stress can also influence senescence. Nitrate and Senescence: Nitrate (a form of nitrogen) can regulate senescence, with nitrate deficiency often promoting early senescence. However, high levels of nitrate can also influence senescence. Nutrient Excess: While nutrient limitations generally trigger senescence, nutrient excess, particularly nitrogen, can also affect the process. For example, some studies have suggested that nutrient excess can accelerate cellular senescence by increasing metabolic loading and oxidative stress. In summary, while nitrogen deficiency often triggers senescence to remobilize nutrients, senescence is a complex process influenced by multiple factors beyond nitrogen availability. The interplay between nutrient availability, developmental signals, hormones, and other environmental factors determines the timing and progression of senescence in plants.

Different forms of nitrogen within a leaf are metabolized differently. Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil in the forms of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻). Once inside the leaf, these forms are converted into usable organic compounds through distinct metabolic pathways. Ammonium (NH₄⁺): This form is primarily metabolized in the roots, requiring more oxygen for the process. Nitrate (NO₃⁻): This form is reduced to ammonium within the leaves and then incorporated into organic compounds like amino acids. Organic Nitrogen: Nitrogen is also stored in the leaf as organic forms like water-soluble proteins, non-protein compounds, and SDS-soluble proteins. These forms are utilized during leaf growth and development, with their relative abundance changing throughout the leaf's life cycle. Nitrogen Transfer: Nitrogen can also be transferred between different plant parts, like from decomposing leaves to fresh leaves, a process known as resorption, according to a study published in BMC Plant Biology. The breakdown and utilization of these nitrogen forms are crucial for various plant processes, including growth, photosynthesis, and stress response. Understanding these differences helps in optimizing nitrogen management strategies for plant health and productivity.

DIfferent forms of nitrogen do break down differently within a leaf as it dries. Specifically, the breakdown rates and pathways of nitrogen compounds are influenced by factors like the initial chemical form of nitrogen (e.g., nitrate, ammonium, amino acids, proteins), the leaf's overall physiological state, and the environmental conditions during senescence (aging and eventual death of the leaf). 1. Nitrogen Forms and Their Degradation: Nitrate (NO3-): Nitrate is often the primary form of nitrogen taken up by plant roots and transported to the leaves. During senescence, nitrate reductase, an enzyme, converts nitrate into nitrite, and then further into ammonium. Ammonium (NH4+): Ammonium is another form of nitrogen that can be directly absorbed by plants or produced from nitrate reduction. It can be incorporated into amino acids via the enzyme glutamine synthetase, or it can be converted to other organic forms of nitrogen. Organic Nitrogen (Amino Acids, Proteins): These are the more complex forms of nitrogen found within the leaf. They can be synthesized from ammonium or directly taken up by the plant. During leaf senescence, these organic nitrogen compounds can be broken down back into simpler forms like amino acids, which are then remobilized and transported to other parts of the plant. Chlorophyll and Other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds: Chlorophyll, a key component of photosynthesis, contains nitrogen. As leaves senesce, chlorophyll degrades, releasing nitrogen that can be re-utilized by the plant. 2. Environmental Influences: Temperature: Higher temperatures generally accelerate the breakdown of nitrogen compounds, but also influence the rate of water loss, which in turn affects the overall senescence process. Water Availability: Water stress can alter the breakdown pathways of nitrogen, potentially leading to the accumulation of certain nitrogen compounds. Light: Light availability can influence the photosynthetic activity of the leaf, which affects the initial nitrogen uptake and subsequent metabolism. 3. Implications of Nitrogen Breakdown: Nutrient Remobilization: The breakdown of nitrogen compounds during senescence allows plants to recycle nitrogen from older leaves to younger, developing parts of the plant, optimizing nutrient use. Leaf Senescence and Shedding: The controlled breakdown and remobilization of nitrogen are crucial for leaf senescence and shedding. When nitrogen is effectively remobilized, the leaf can detach from the plant with minimal nutrient loss. Impact on Ecosystems: The nitrogen released during leaf senescence can contribute to soil nitrogen pools, influencing nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes. In summary, different nitrogen forms degrade at varying rates and through different pathways during leaf senescence. This process is influenced by the initial form of nitrogen, the leaf's physiological state, and environmental conditions. Understanding these processes is crucial for understanding plant nutrient use, leaf senescence, and ecosystem dynamics.

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