In the same way our bodies produce enzymes for energy production, digestion and cell repair, plants also produce enzymes. You may have heard about enzymes for cannabis plants. Still, you may not be aware of the difference between enzymes for soil health and for cellular function.
In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about cannabis plant enzymes and their importance. Covering the different enzymes found inside plants, the role of enzymes and how they affect soil health, explaining how the ATAzyme product works, a step-by-step guide on how to use it, and soil indicators to look out for optimal soil health.
What Are Enzymes?
You may have heard about enzymes used for cleaning ponds, or for dishwashers to clean pots, pans and dinner plates. While a common question may be, ‘Do plants have enzymes?’ The short answer is yes! Cannabis plants produce enzymes to aid in energy production and release organic compounds.
Plant enzymes play a crucial role in maintaining plant health and provide the energy necessary for plants to grow. Inside a cannabis plant, there is a wide range of enzymes that perform their own unique function, which are covered below.
• Amylases: Responsible for converting starch into sugar, producing energy for growth.
• Proteases: Responsible for breaking down proteins into amino acids, for growing tissue.
• Lipases: These enzymes break down fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol.
• Cellulases: These release sugars for plant energy and break down cellulose.
• Phosphates: Responsible for making phosphorus from organic compounds.
• Sulfatases: Responsible for making sulfur from organic compounds.
• Ureases: Responsible for breaking down urea and capturing nitrogen.
Enzymes for Plants vs Enzymes for Soil
Now that we have covered the various enzymes found inside a cannabis plant, you may be wondering what the difference is between enzymes for plants and enzymes for soil.
Enzymes that are responsible for breaking down organic matter make nutrients more readily available for plants to use within the soil, such as ATAzyme.
The Benefits of ATAzyme for Plants
ATAzyme is an easy-to-use and highly effective liquid product from Atami that contains many benefits when used as an enzyme for cannabis. Below is a breakdown of the benefits of using ATAzyme and why you should consider using it with your next cannabis grow.
● Atazyme has almost no effect on the EC value of a nutrient solution
● Atazyme acts as a catalyst and plays a role in the implementation of biochemicals.
● Breaks down old and dead root material in the growing substrate.
● Minerals and sugars become more readily available within soil cultures.
● Helps to fight off the risk of root diseases and pathogens, enhancing root health.
● ATAzyme enhances soil health, nutrient uptake, availability and accessibility.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using ATAzyme
ATAzyme is a product designed for use with soil and coco coir for hydroponic growing mediums. The product can be used for photoperiod cannabis, autoflowering cannabis and outdoor crops.
Step 1: Open the bottle of ATAzyme.
Step 2: Measure out 1-3 mL using a pipette.
Step 3: Stir the ATAzyme into your nutrient solution.
Step 4: Check the EC and pH level of your nutrient solution.
Step 5: Pour the nutrient solution into the growing medium.
The Role of Enzymes and Why Soil Health Is Important
When growing cannabis organically using soil, it is crucial to maintain optimal soil health. The reason is that the soil will be full of beneficial microorganisms and fungi that work in a harmonious and symbiotic relationship with the plant. The soil food web is a complex network of living organisms that play a crucial role in breaking down and composting organic material.
If soil health is not optimal, then as a grower, you run the risk of harmful bacteria, pathogens, and diseases thriving in the soil. pH and oxygen levels can also become significantly affected, creating an acidic environment that exceeds the ideal pH range for nutrient uptake. Enzymes can accelerate the decomposition process, increase nutrient availability, and promote root health.
The Definition of Soil Health and Soil Health Indicators
● Healthy soil will have a dark brown or shiny black colour.
● The texture should be airy, loose and soft to touch.
● Healthy soil can retain large amounts of water while maintaining good drainage.
● There will be an earthy and sweet smell.
● Worms, woodlice and other beneficial insects will be present.
● A plant’s root will be able to grow through the soil with ease.
● The soil will contain a white web of beneficial fungi.
Signs of Low Quality and Unhealthy Soil
● The colour will be pale brown and lack organic matter.
● The soil will be compact and rugged when rubbed together.
● The odour may be sour or have no smell at all.
● Compact soil will mean oxygen levels are low.
● There will be no signs of worms or other insects, such as woodlice.
● Unhealthy soil will produce poor drainage.
● The soil will not be able to retain optimal moisture levels.
● There will be no signs of fungi or beneficial bacteria.
Enzymes for Flushing Cannabis
Flushing cannabis is a way to achieve a much smoother and flavourful smoking experience. The way flushing works is by removing any undissolved salts that have accumulated from nutrients. Did you know that using ATAzyme helps accelerate the flushing process by breaking down organic matter even quicker, and allowing the growing substrate to become washed clean?
Flushing coco coir with enzymes also produces a salt-free growing medium that can be recycled and used for a second harvest, saving a home grower more expense and another trip to the local grow shop.
Atami's Final Thoughts on Enzymes for Cannabis
Using enzymes when growing top-quality cannabis is highly beneficial and is well-recommended. ATAzyme will act as a catalyst to speed up the decomposition of organic matter and nutrients, allowing minerals and sugars to become more readily available, and help eliminate the risk of soil pathogens and disease.
Enzymes not only significantly improve the smoking experience as far as taste, smoothness and how clean cannabis buds burn, but they will also allow you to clean coco coir for re-use. ATAzyme is a must have when I am growing cannabis and cannot recommend this easy-to-use product enough!
