Gene expression and organic acids

[Franksta]

Okay I'm interested in anyone's experience with using various organic acids in the flowering process and what they have learned. Obviously things like citric acid or acetic acid are lethal to the plants

However I've been using ascorbic acid for quite some time now. Also tricontolol which is a long chain fatty acid that takes special preparation and application techniques

In cannabis plant studies, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been shown to influence gene expression, potentially impacting cannabinoid production, and can also act as an antioxidant to protect against oxidative stress. Specifically, treating cannabis plants with ascorbic acid has been linked to increased expression of genes related to THC and CBD synthesis, as well as other beneficial compounds. Additionally, ascorbic acid helps plants mitigate the negative effects of stress by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Impact on Gene Expression:
  Studies have shown that applying ascorbic acid to cannabis plants, particularly before flowering, can affect the expression of genes involved in cannabinoid production. For example, one study found that treating cannabis with ascorbic acid increased the expression of THCAS, CBDAS, PT, and OLS genes, which are associated with the synthesis of THC and CBD, among other compounds.
  
  
• Antioxidant Properties:
  Ascorbic acid is a well-known antioxidant, and its presence in plant cells helps to neutralize harmful free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. This is particularly important when plants are subjected to environmental stressors like drought or high light intensity.
  
  
• Photosynthesis and Photoprotection:
  Ascorbic acid plays a crucial role in photosynthesis and photoprotection. It acts as a redox buffer, regulating the redox state of photosynthetic electron carriers, and is also involved in the xanthophyll cycle, which helps protect plants from excess light.
  
  
• Reducing Oxidative Browning:
  In plant tissue culture, ascorbic acid can help prevent or reduce browning by detoxifying free radicals, which are often produced when plant tissues are wounded.
  
  
• Overall Plant Health:
  By acting as an antioxidant and influencing gene expression, ascorbic acid contributes to overall plant health, potentially leading to increased growth, stress tolerance, and higher yields of desirable compounds, according to Thieme Group.
  

 

[moe.red]

Only speaks about upsides. Are there downsides I wonder?

 

[Observer]

Okay I'm interested in anyone's experience with using various organic acids in the flowering process and what they have learned. Obviously things like citric acid or acetic acid are lethal to the plants

However I've been using ascorbic acid for quite some time now. Also tricontolol which is a long chain fatty acid that takes special preparation and application techniques

In cannabis plant studies, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been shown to influence gene expression, potentially impacting cannabinoid production, and can also act as an antioxidant to protect against oxidative stress. Specifically, treating cannabis plants with ascorbic acid has been linked to increased expression of genes related to THC and CBD synthesis, as well as other beneficial compounds. Additionally, ascorbic acid helps plants mitigate the negative effects of stress by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Impact on Gene Expression:
  Studies have shown that applying ascorbic acid to cannabis plants, particularly before flowering, can affect the expression of genes involved in cannabinoid production. For example, one study found that treating cannabis with ascorbic acid increased the expression of THCAS, CBDAS, PT, and OLS genes, which are associated with the synthesis of THC and CBD, among other compounds.
  
  
• Antioxidant Properties:
  Ascorbic acid is a well-known antioxidant, and its presence in plant cells helps to neutralize harmful free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. This is particularly important when plants are subjected to environmental stressors like drought or high light intensity.
  
  
• Photosynthesis and Photoprotection:
  Ascorbic acid plays a crucial role in photosynthesis and photoprotection. It acts as a redox buffer, regulating the redox state of photosynthetic electron carriers, and is also involved in the xanthophyll cycle, which helps protect plants from excess light.
  
  
• Reducing Oxidative Browning:
  In plant tissue culture, ascorbic acid can help prevent or reduce browning by detoxifying free radicals, which are often produced when plant tissues are wounded.
  
  
• Overall Plant Health:
  By acting as an antioxidant and influencing gene expression, ascorbic acid contributes to overall plant health, potentially leading to increased growth, stress tolerance, and higher yields of desirable compounds, according to Thieme Group.

I use citric acid, not used triacontanol yet.

Didn't know citric acid can be bad for them?

Been meaning to go down this rabbit hole, thanks.

 

[Franksta]

Only speaks about upsides. Are there downsides I wonder?

Yes you can certainly burn the plants with ph so use tiny amounts. But that's the main concern I think


As for dialing it in for maximum efficiency I've never tried to quantify the application. Just something that I use to adjust the ph factor during the flipping and later on

I've used it throughout the growing process but really concentrate my effort during flowering

I've even made it with a foliar a few times balanced with potassium hydroxide

 

[Franksta]

Plants synthesize vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for their own use, primarily as an antioxidant and a cofactor for various enzymes. It's crucial for protecting against oxidative damage caused by stress, such as excess light, and plays roles in photosynthesis, cell division, and hormone biosynthesis.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Synthesis and Location:

• • Plants synthesize vitamin C, primarily through the Smirnoff-Wheeler pathway, especially in photosynthetic tissues.
    
  • It's abundant in leaves, with high concentrations found in chloroplasts.
    
  • Vitamin C is also produced in mitochondria in response to stress.
    

2. Roles in Plant Physiology:

• • Antioxidant:
    Vitamin C neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage plant cells, preventing oxidative stress.
    
  • Cofactor:
    It acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in photosynthesis, cell division, and hormone biosynthesis.
    
  • Stress Tolerance:
    Vitamin C helps plants cope with various stresses, including excess light (photoprotection), ozone, and UV radiation.
    
  • Cellular Processes:
    It influences cell division, expansion, and differentiation.
    

3. Examples of Vitamin C's Functions:

• • Xanthophyll Cycle: Vitamin C is a crucial cofactor in the xanthophyll cycle, which helps dissipate excess light energy.
    
  • Photoprotection: It protects against damage from excess light by scavenging ROS.
    
  • Cell Wall Formation: Vitamin C is a cofactor for enzymes involved in cell wall formation.
    
  • Disease Resistance: Exogenous application of vitamin C can induce disease resistance in plants.