The Magic Formula of Fertilizers and the Production of Cannabinoids

In an article, columnist Paulo Jordão makes enlightening considerations about the various technologies for the production of cannabinoids, which suggest that increasing the generation of these can be achieved by adding formulations of different elements

26/03/2026 07h41

Column by Paulo Jordão*

It is known that various brands of Cannabis fertilizers have a variety of nutrients in their lines. What this article seeks to discuss is about some nutrients that can generate larger quantities of cannabinoids. The literature on Cannabis fertilization, between 1994 and 2019, has advanced in different technologies for the production of cannabinoids. Here I present only a few.

The literature on Cannabis fertilization, between 1994 and 2019, has advanced in different technologies for the production of cannabinoids

The notion that nitrogen (N) is a less essential element in the flora and that phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) produce more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dates back to 1994. Research conducted in Czechoslovakia concluded that fertilization only with N and K produced more cannabidiol (CBD), and that fertilization only with P and K produced more THC.

This notion from 1994 has evolved over time seeking other nutrients or growth enhancers for Cannabis plants. In 2018, in Italy, researchers concluded that rhizobacteria are growth-promoting agents for Cannabis and that during the flowering phase, they can yield the same rates of cannabinoid production as chemical compounds like nitrogen.

In 2018, in Italy, researchers concluded that rhizobacteria are growth-promoting agents for Cannabis and that during the flowering phase, they can yield the same rates of cannabinoid production as chemical compounds like nitrogen

Another discovery about the production of cannabinoids was made in 2019 in Canada. Researchers concluded that plants exposed to a more nitrogen-rich fertilization treatment in the vegetative phase obtained a higher concentration of THC. This research also indicates that growth-promoting fungi and bacteria can enhance the production of secondary metabolites such as cannabinoids and terpenes.

In addition to growth-promoting fungi and bacteria, there are also various nutrients that can enhance the production of cannabinoids such as humic acids (HA). In 2019, researchers in Israel concluded that HA enhance the absorption of N, P, and K.

In addition to growth-promoting fungi and bacteria, there are also various nutrients that can enhance the production of cannabinoids with humic acids (HA)

For the researchers in Israel, treatments with only P can reduce THC concentration in the leaves by 16%. Another conclusion is related to supplementation only with NPK which can increase CBG concentration by 71% and decrease CBN concentration in the flowers by 38%. On the other hand, treatment only with HA reduces THC concentration in the flowers by 37% and CBD by 39%.

In Brazil, there are commercialized fertilizers that rely on technologies developed by academics and private planting practices. The company Fat Crystal has some products that do not use nitrogen in their formula, as in the Czechoslovakia research mentioned here. Fat Crystal adds humic acid to its products, as suggested by the researchers in Israel.

The product Bloom has the formulation NPK 0-9-8. The company also suggests another fertilizer, a flowering booster named Final with the formulation NPK of 0-0-50 enriched with humic extracts, B complex, and amino acids.

On the other hand, the company Green House Feeding innovates with a unique formulation for vegetative and flowering with a high nitrogen content. The company, with its extensive knowledge, has made available to the Brazilian market 3 different formulations.

In Brazil, there are commercialized fertilizers that rely on technologies developed by academics and private planting practices

The Short Flowering for plants with a 9-week flowering cycle (NPK 16-6-26), the Hybrids for plants with a 10-week flowering cycle (NPK 15-7-22), and the Long Flowering for plants with a 13-week flowering cycle of (NPK 18-12-18). Green House Feeding also suggests a booster with the formulation of NPK 0-30-27 from the third week.

Although the companies use different strategies regarding nitrogen concentration, both agree on using flowering enhancers rich in K and offer biological agents for flowering in their product portfolios as suggested by the researchers in Italy, and humic acids as suggested by the researchers in Israel.

The new fertilization technologies pointed out here suggest that increasing cannabinoid production can be achieved by adding different formulations of N, P, and K, rhizobacteria, and humic acids

Fat Crystal has Flora Microbes, a combination of rhizobacteria (Bacillus of different strains) used to enhance the solubilization of micronutrients. Green House Feeding offers Bio Enhancer, a formulation rich in humic and fulvic acids and seaweed.

The new fertilization technologies pointed out here suggest that increasing cannabinoid production can be achieved by adding different formulations of N, P, and K, rhizobacteria, and humic acids. Each fertilizer brand has its magic formula for cannabinoid production. It is up to consumers to determine which ones produce the best results.

References:

¹ Hanus, L., Dostálová, M. (1994) The effect of soil fertilization on the formation and the amount of cannabinoid substances in Cannabis sativa L. in the course of one vegetation period, - Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis Facultatis Medicae, V. 138,,5-11.

² Pagnani, G., Pellegrini, M., Galieni, A., D'Egidio, S., Matteucci, F., Ricci, A., Stagnari, F., Sergi, M., Sterzo, C., Pisante, M., Del Gallo, M., (2018). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Cannabis sativa ‘Finola’ cultivation: An alternative fertilization strategy to improve plant growth and quality characteristics. VL 123, DOI - 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.06.033, Industrial Crops and Products.

³ Backer, R., Schwinghamer, T., Rosenbaum, P., McCarty, V. , Eichhorn Biilodeau, S., Lyu, D., Ahmed, B., Robinson, W., Lefsrud, M., Wilkins, O., Smith, D., (2019) Closing the Yield Gap for Cannabis: A Meta-Analysis of Factors Determining Cannabis Yield, v. 10, DOI - 10.3389/fpls.2019.00495, Frontiers in Plant Science.

⁴ Bernstein N, Gorelick J, Zerahia R and Koch S (2019) Impact of N, P, K, and Humic Acid Supplementation on the Chemical Profile of Medical Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L). Front. Plant Sci. 10:736. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00736

*Paulo Jordão is a Ph.D. in Administration, professor at the Federal University of Piauí, partner at Cannapi, and columnist for Sechat.

The opinions expressed in this article are personal and the responsibility of their authors.

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