Vancouver, BC – Ashburton Ventures Inc. has recently announced a zeolite efficacy trial in partnership with InnoTech Alberta.
The purpose is to see how different levels of zeolite affect the performance of two specialized growing mediums used in the industry. According to the release, cannabis cultivated for hemp will be used instead of cannabis cultivated for marijuana to satisfy federal licensing regulations associated with the Innotech facility.
The study will also look at changes in water consumption. Zeolites are naturally-occurring minerals in a crystalline form. Their unique structure allows them to “hold” water molecules, hence their use in growth media to improve water retention.
“Fresh water consumption has become a significant factor of concern in agriculture with changing weather patterns and climate,” states Steve Harpur, President and COO of Ashburton Ventures Inc. “We are keen to learn whether zeolite can help to conserve water while also optimizing crop yield and soil health.”
On the Crop Development and Management Team at Innotech Alberta is Dr. Jan Slaski, co-author of a Best Management Practices (BMP) guide which used industrial hemp as a model for growing medicinal marijuana as a greenhouse crop. This guide received financial support from Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures and the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association.
To view the original release, please click here
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