036 - Science Meets Strategy: The Why and How Behind Pipp’s Airflow Research Trial

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• Podcast Episode Summary: Cultivation Elevated
• Hosts: Michael Williamson and Anders Peterson
• Guest: Dr. Allison Justice, Cannabis Research Coalition and Hemp Mine
• Episode Focus:
• The episode centers on a collaborative research initiative led by Pipp Horticulture and the Cannabis Research Coalition to investigate airflow in cannabis vertical farming. The conversation dives into the complexities of designing research facilities, the importance of airflow optimization, and the potential impact on yield, quality, and efficiency in commercial cannabis cultivation.
• Key Topics Discussed:
• 1. Research Facility Buildout
• Project Overview:
• A year-and-a-half-long project to create a state-of-the-art cannabis research facility.
• Pipp Horticulture partnered with Dr. Allison Justice and several leading equipment manufacturers.
• Focus on studying the impact of airflow on cannabis growth, including transpiration, photosynthesis, and pathogen resistance.
• Facility Design:
• Three identical grow rooms (12x8 feet each, 9-foot ceilings) with a single dry room.
• Research trials will include control and test parameter groups to analyze airflow effects.

• 2. Airflow and Environmental Controls
• Challenges with Airflow in Vertical Farming:
• Limited existing research on airflow parameters specific to cannabis cultivation.
• Optimization needed for high-light environments and precise irrigation strategies.
• Technological Solutions:
• Use of omnidirectional hotwire anemometers for accurate airflow monitoring.
• Integration with Growlink for 24/7 data collection and trend analysis.
• Ducted dehumidifiers and mini-split air conditioners to maintain uniform climate control.
• Research Goals:
• Determining optimal airflow velocities for different growth stages.
• Understanding how airflow affects yield, potency, terpene profiles, and crop health.

• 3. Industry Applications
• Impact on Cultivators:
• Providing data-driven insights for growers to improve consistency, reduce labor, and optimize climate control.
• Addressing long-standing "bro science" in cannabis cultivation with hard data.
• Broader Benefits:
• Results will guide engineers, HVAC designers, and equipment manufacturers.
• Potential to inform future Pipp Horticulture product development.
• Aims to reduce operational costs and improve overall grower success.

• 4. Collaboration and Long-Term Vision
• Key Partnerships:
• Collaboration with leading vendors like Growlink, Vertical Air Solutions, and Athena.
• Dr. Justice’s team actively involved in facility buildout and ongoing research.
• Research Scope:
• Multiyear trials producing quarterly results, made publicly available to benefit the industry.
• Exploration of additional variables like light intensity, nutrient strategies, and climate controls.
• Public Outreach:
• Plans to share findings through podcasts, reports, and events like MJBizCon 2024.

• Key Takeaways:
• Importance of Airflow Optimization:
• Cannabis plants require significantly more airflow than other crops due to higher light intensities and faster transpiration rates.
• Preliminary estimates suggest optimal airflow of 100-200 feet per minute (veg) and 200-300 feet per minute (flower).
• Data-Driven Cultivation:
• Proper airflow can improve yield, reduce pest/disease susceptibility, and eliminate reliance on subjective grower intuition.
• The use of environmental biophysics models provides actionable insights for improving plant growth efficiency.
• Innovation for Growers:
• The project aims to replace guesswork with science, equipping growers with practical, evidence-based recommendations.

• Conclusion:
• The episode highlights a groundbreaking effort to understand and optimize airflow in cannabis cultivation. By bridging the gap between grower intuition and scientific research, the team aims to empower the industry with actionable insights to maximize efficiency, yield, and crop quality. This initiative underscores Pipp Horticulture’s commitment to supporting the cannabis community through innovation and collaboration.

ABOUT CULTIVATION ELEVATED:

If you are a grower or owner looking to optimize your existing or new cultivation facility or anyone looking to cultivate more in less space, then this is the show for you. Each week, join Host Michael Williamson as he travels across the country, to explore the world of vertical farming and the future of cannabis and food production through his conversations with leading industry operators, growers and executives who are demonstrating success and resilience as growers and cultivators. Each episode provides stories and key insights that will inspire and show you first-hand, how each of these companies have overcome challenges, and found their own path to success. Brought to you by Pipp Horticulture.

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ABOUT PIPP HORTICULTURE:

Pipp Horticulture is the leading space-saving mobile indoor vertical grow racking systems provider. All Pipp Horticulture products are made in the USA and easily integrate with other essential grow equipment like lighting, irrigation, drainage, and airflow systems. Reduce vertical farming costs with Pipp Horticulture’s high-density Mobile Vertical Grow Rack Systems.

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