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Julian Karadjov, PhD 3
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
Lets clear up the carb controversy What are carbohydrates and how do they
produce bigger yields?
Whether youre a hobbyist gardener or
aprofessional grower, sooner or later you are Sugars, saccharides, carbsthey are all the same
going to hear about the carb controversy thing. Thats the short answer. And the miracle
of it all is that plants themselves manufacture
Some people claim carbohydrates cannot be carbohydrates. The following chemical equation
absorbed by plants at all, and that carbohydrate demonstrates that when carbon dioxide and
supplements are little more than snake oil. water combine in the presence of light, the
leaves produce oxygen and carbohydrates in
Others agree your crops could use an extra boost, aprocess known as photosynthesis:
but they wrongly assert that carbs cannot be
taken up by the roots. Better to apply them by 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2
foliar spray, they say. In fact, nothing could be
further from the truth. To put it simply, carbohydrates are the primary
and most abundant products of light-energy
And believe it or not, there are even old-timers who transformation by plants. Leaves take the solar
still insist that all you need is molasses. High-grade energy from your lamps or the sun, the CO2 from
molasses which is low in sulfur can indeed benefit the air, and the water from the growing medium
your plants (if it doesnt clog up your lines). But to produce the energy your plants need to grow
what your crops really need is the full spectrum of and thrive.
carbohydrates that matches their species profile.
The fact is carbohydrates represent roughly
Lets face it: With so many contradictory aquarter of all organic soil matter, a substantial
viewpoints and misinformation out there, it is amount of which is derived from polysaccharides
no wonder so many growers feel confused about in roots and plant debris. Carbs can be as simple
the carb controversy. The forums, as always, are as sucrose, which is table sugar, or as complex
abuzz with advice. Everyone has an opinion, and as cellulose, which is the tough, fibrous polymer
different people will tell you different things. that plants are made of. All carbohydrates end
inose. All contain energy.
But what does the science say?
Furthermore, plants utilize this versatile source
This white paper explains the importance of of energy in a variety of ways. They use carbs to
carbohydrates for your plants. It describes grow tissues and build construction materials of
the role carbs play in plant formation, dispels all kinds: roots, stems, leaves, blossoms.
the most common myths about carbohydrate
supplements, and sets the record straight on In fact, they metabolize carbohydrates into
thecarb controversy. almost everything imaginable, from starch,
Julian Karadjov, PhD 4
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
Extra carbs free up energy for vital processes. stress. Were getting deep into science here. Let it
If, in the weeks prior to ripening, you supply your suffice to say that carbohydrate feeding can make
plants with most of the carbohydrates they need, hydroponic growing less risky.
they will not have to struggle to manufacture
their own. Extra carbs energize beneficial microbes.
Thebeneficial bacteria and fungi that live in
In other words, they wont have to live hand to thegrowing medium and colonize the rhizosphere
mouth. By giving them an abundant source of help to fend off harmful microorganisms and
ready-made energy, you will enable
your crops to channel more of their Think of it as a race. Athletes talk about carbo-
own energy into biosynthesizing
amino acids and important loadingconsuming a high-carb diet to infuse their
secondary metabolites, such as muscles with energy before the big event. That way,
phenols, terpenoids, and THC. they can tap into those reserves when they need that
Extra carbs top off your plants big burst during the final lap. Star athletes and stellar
own reserves. Bear in mind that crops have similar energy needs. If you infuse your
a significant amount of unused plants with pent-up power, they can leverage iton
carbohydrates will be saved for
future use. However, plants have demand for a strong finish.
limited capacity to store extra
energy. Michael Straumietis
Therefore, it is advisable to supplement their disease. They also fix nitrogen, break down macro-
natural stores, particularly during ripening. You and microelements into plant-available forms, and
do not want your crops to be running on empty contribute to other vital processes. Feed those
right when their fruits and flowers are packing on good bugs, and they will multiply.
their most weight.
To sum up, there is a relationship between
Extra carbs safeguard your crops. Hydroponics is theamount of carbohydrates made available to
the Formula 1 of agro. Every parameter is pushed and stored by your plants and the eventual size,
to the limit: lighting, CO2, nutrient concentration. weight, and quality of their yields.
In fact, the concentration of inorganic nutrients
can approach the point where plants experience Furthermore, carbs make hydroponics safer for
osmotic shock. your crops.
So you see, carbs supplied to the root system can Last but not least, they help to feed the beneficial
substantially increase root resistance to osmotic microbes that inoculate the roots and help to
Julian Karadjov, PhD 6
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
break down complex carbohydrates and other Arabidopsis is typically cultivated in an artificial
nutrients into plant-available forms. medium, such as agar. For over a century,
scientists have observed that adding carbs to agar
All of this translates into heavier harvests. enhances growth and modulates adventitious
rooting in Arabidopsis. In other words,
Thats great! So, whats the carb controversy? carbohydrates promote strong root development.
Weve established the role of carbohydrates Numerous other studies have demonstrated that
in plant formation and the benefits of feeding carbohydrates influence ion uptake by the roots
your crops as many carbs as possible. But those and other developmental processes (e.g., Bechtold,
questions introduced at the start of this white etal., 2000; Kobayashi, K., et al., 2003). All this
paper remain unanswered. Lets clear them up, points clearly to carbohydrate uptake by plants.
one controversy at a time:
Scientists have confirmed the existence of
Can plants even absorb the carbohydrates carbohydrate transporters in roots. Indeed,
Ifeedthem? the mechanism of carbohydrate absorption by
plants has been discovered: Roots have special
The answer is a resounding yes. The following transporter proteins that recognize carbohydrate
isjust a smattering of the evidence: molecules, bind to them, and translocate them
into the roots (Saglio and Xia, 1988).
Growers have long fed carbs to plants.
Ifcarbohydrates didnt work, why would growers Researchers believe the primary function of these
use them? While noteworthy, tradition per se transporters is to capture root exudatesi.e., to
is insufficient proof. The folk wisdom could be prevent carbohydrates from leaching from the
wrong. Weve promised you science. Were going roots. However, these transporters will take up all
to give you science. carbs made available.
Scientists have long fed carbs to plants. For example, in natural soils, transporters take
Interesting! If carbohydrates were useless, why up carbohydrates resulting from plant decay. It
would scientists apply them to the soil or the should be noted that the process of carbohydrate
nutrient solution during research? transport is costly for plants. Carb absorption
does require energy. However, the energy gained
For example, Arabidopsis thaliana is widely from ready-made carbohydrate molecules far
used in scientific research as a model for plant exceeds the energy expended on transport.
development. In the agricultural sciences,
this humble plant plays the role that mice and The mere existence of an active transport system
Drosophila flies play in animal biology. suggests that the active uptake of carbohydrates
Julian Karadjov, PhD 7
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
Despite what you may have heard, it is self-evident that the root
system is where the vast majority of organic nutrients are absorbed
by plants.
I know it may sound silly to point out, but even plants that grow
laterally, such as vinesand which may affix themselves to
superficies with root-like tendrils, or even sprout secondary roots
Figure 1.Cellulose, table sugar, and starch
at new locationsget the bulk of their nutrition from their base
are all carbohydrates.
root systems.
Why? Sugars are saccharides, which are carbs. And sugars are sticky.
So even when using a high-quality surfactant, you run the risk of
gumming up the stomata, the microscopic openings on theleaves
Julian Karadjov, PhD 8
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
and stems. The stomata, or stomates, facilitate carbohydrate sources are applied, as shown in
gas exchangein other words, transpiration: the photo in Figure 2 on the next page. And while
breathing. Sticky leaves may even attract insects. molasses does indeed contain one or two types
of carbohydrates, it does not contain the full
But wont good ol molasses do the trick? spectrum of carbs that your plants need.
Molasses can be used as a carbohydrate It takes a lot of R&D spendingand tests done
supplementin soil. Old-timers may insist they on thousands of field cropsto get the formula
get away with it in hydroponics. But raw molasses just right. Lets look more closely at the science to
is gooey, and it can clog up your lines. Residue learn why:
may also build up in the reservoir, in the growing
medium, or in the root system. Firstly, individual carbohydrates vary
enormously, from simple sugars to highly
This in turn could lead to root rot or other complex compounds (Figure 1). For
complications. A high-quality carbohydrate example, glucose, fructose, and xylose are all
plant supplement will be properly processed monosaccharides, sucrose is a disaccharide, and
and suspended in solution in order to be safely cellulose is apolysaccharide.2
applied hydroponically.
Glucose is an aldose (i.e., it contains an aldehyde
Another difficulty is that molasses and other group), while fructose is a ketose (i.e., it contains
over-the-counter sugars are inconsistent. They a ketone group). Both have the same brutto
vary significantly in quality and compositionnot formula, C6H12O6, but their chemistry is slightly
only among brands, but also from one batch or different. A slight difference in chemical makeup
bottle to the next. can mean a significant difference in how a carb
reacts to or affects biology.
So when you use raw sucrose or fructose from
molasses or some other source, you are rolling Secondly, different plant species have different
the dice. You cannot rely on the quality or preferences for different carbohydrates. They
consistency of what you are getting. can take up some carbs better than they can take
up others.
To get the maximum benefit, a carbohydrate
supplement must have the correct profile
ideally, one that is tailored to your plant species.
The right carbs must be applied in the right ratios
and doses. 2Carbohydrates were first called saccharides on
the basis of table sugar, which was the first studied
carbohydrate. Nowadays, saccharide is used only
A word of caution though: Variety is also a in composite names, such as mono-, di-, olygo-, and
key factor. Plants grow better when multiple polysaccharides.
Julian Karadjov, PhD 9
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
For example, tomatoes and sugar beets prefer so feeding your plants just any carb is not likely
sucrose to glucose, while melons prefer fructose todo the trick.
to glucose or sucrose (Thomas and Weir, 1967).
Decades ago, researchers even considered Thirdly, different carbohydrates compete for
certain carbohydratesnamely, galactose and the attention of root transporters at different
mannoseto be toxic for most plants because stages of plant development. Plants absorb from
when applied on their own they inhibited plant the soil or the growing medium only those carbs
growth (Figure 2). that are most valuable at any particular stage of
growth.
However, when used along with other carbs,
neither has any detrimental effect. The point is The rest of the carbohydrates are wasted, are
that certain plants have certain carb preferences, taken up by the roots later on, or are consumed
Julian Karadjov, PhD 10
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
The downside is that most of the carbs you feed your plants will
probably go to waste. Scientists estimate that in standard growing
conditions less than 10% of the carbohydrates added to the soil or
the growing medium are absorbed by plants (Jones and Kuzyakov,
2006). Thats not much.
As a result, plants cannot synthesize sufficient Maintain the growing medium pH at anoptimal
IAA to stimulate their roots for increased carb level for carb absorption. Carbohydrate
absorption. IAA, or other auxin-like chemicals, transporters work best when the pH of the
can be added to the growing medium, but this growing medium is 56 (Wyse, 1979). Therefore,
can be done safely only in the earlier stages of a well-buffered growing medium will enhance
development since auxins interfere with flowering. carbohydrate absorption.
3For example, they may decompose dead root matter, Ideal for hydro. Bud Candy is used in
freeing up space for the growth of fresh roots. hydroponic agriculture and gardening, where
Julian Karadjov, PhD 12
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
the root systems are well aerated for high carb inaddition to loads of carbohydrates, Bud
absorption. The product is properly processed Candy contains numerous other ingredients
and suspended in solution, so it will not clog that enhance the quality of your yields.
up your lines or leave unhygienic residue.
Conclusion
Humic acids. Bud Candy is commonly used
in combination with other nutrient products The carbohydrates in Bud Candy have been
containing humic acids, which are desirable derived and refined from sweet molasses as well
for their auxin-like properties. as sugar cane, sugar beet, cranberry, and grape
extracts.
Bacteria and fungi. Bud Candy is commonly
used in combination with Voodoo Juice, As it turns out, all these natural carbs are sources
Tarantula, and Piranhaproducts which are of reduced carbon, enabling plant cells to grow
rich in select beneficial microorganisms. The and divide and providing crops not only with
bacteria in Voodoo Juice and Tarantula even ready-made energy for immediate use or storage,
have auxin-like properties. but also with some of the very building blocks
oflife.
Optimal pH. Bud Candy is an integral part of
the Expert Grower Level of the Bigger Yields A few more thoughts in closing: If the natural
Flowering System. When used in tandem energy levels of your crops are supplemented,
with any pH Perfect base nutrient (pH your plants will suffer less stress. Suboptimal
Perfect Grow, Micro, Bloom; pH Perfect Sensi environmental conditions, insect problems, and
Grow; pH Perfect Sensi Bloom; or pH Perfect anything else that sets your plants back do so
Connoisseur), the System maintains the because they diminish their ability to produce
nutrient solution and growing media within and store chemical energy.
a pH range optimal for high carbohydrate
uptake. (To learn more, read our white paper A good carbohydrate plant supplement will help
on pH and the role it plays in plant nutrition as to keep energy levels at a surplus even when
well as our white paper on chelation and how conditions are less than optimal. Therefore,
it provides your crops with a secondary layer even if you face some challenges in the growing
of protection guaranteeing strong nutrient environment, your crops will fare better than
absorption.) they would have done on their own.
And much more. Bud Candy combines the Essentially, the whole purpose of photosynthesis
best of CarboLoad, one of the oldest and best- is to produce carbohydrates. So why not give
selling Advanced Nutrients products, with a your plants exactly what they need in the form
former product called Sweet Leaf. As such, they need it? Why not give them Bud Candy?
Julian Karadjov, PhD 13
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
To learn more about how Bud Candy gives you Share this white paper now with friends,
bigger harvests, dial Advanced Nutrients Tech coworkers, and family.
Julian Karadjov, PhD 14
Carbohydrates & bigger yields
References
Bechtold, N., et al., 2000. Monosaccharide/proton symporter AtSTP1 plays a major role in uptake and
response of Arabidopsis seeds and seedlings to sugars. Plant Journal, 24 (6), pp. 84957.
Beevers, H. and Grant, B. R., 1964. Absorption of sugars by plant tissues. Plant Physiology, 39 (1),
pp.7885.
Jones, D.L. and Kuzyakov, Y., 2006. Glucose uptake by maize roots and its transformation
intherhizosphere. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 38 (5), pp. 85160.
Kanayama, Y., Ofosu-Anim, J., and Yamaki, S., 1998. Changes in sugar uptake by excised discs and
its stimulation by abscisic and indoleacetic acids during melon fruit development. Journal
oftheJapanese Society for Horticultural Science, 67 (2), pp. 1705.
Knudson, L., 1917. The toxicity of galactose and mannose for green plants and the antagonistic action
of other sugars toward these. American Journal of Botany, July issue, 4 (7), pp. 4307.
Kobayashi, K., et al., 2003. Sugar-induced adventitious roots in Arabidopsis seedlings. Journal of Plant
Research, 116 (2), pp. 8391.
Saglio, P.H. and Xia, Jian-Hua, 1988. Characterization of the hexose transport system in maize root tips.
Plant Physiology, 88 (4), pp. 101520.
Thomas, D.R. and Weir, N.R., 1967. A note on sucrose and glucose uptake by apical segments
oftomato roots. New Phytologist, 66 (1), pp. 1259.
Wyse, R., 1979. Sucrose uptake by sugar beet tap root tissue. Plant Physiology, 64 (5), pp. 83741.