PGR is an abbreviation for Plant Growth Regulators. PGRs are added to the weed to change certain features and as more and more people demand high THC concentration strains, growers are using PGR to get better yields.
In this blog, we are going to discuss PGR weed and its various dimensions.
All about PGR weed
What is PGR Weed?
PGRs, or plant growth regulators, are compounds that may be used to influence the growth and development of plants. Cannabis producers commonly employ PGRs to manage the size and form of their plants, as well as the time of flowering.
Cannabis strains that have been exposed to PGR hormones to alter some of its specificities are called PGR weed. It does not come labeled as PGR weed but there are a few signs through which you can identify PGR weed.
Cannabis producers have been utilizing PGRs for decades, but the recent legalization of recreational marijuana in some US states has led to an increase in their usage. This is because farmers now have a financial incentive to produce vast amounts of high-quality cannabis.
As a consequence, they are prepared to experiment with various PGRs to locate the ones that offer them the greatest yields.
How do PGRs change the weed?
PGRs may have a substantial influence on the final output. For example, if a producer wishes to create a greater percentage of THC in their cannabis flowers, they may utilize a PGR that encourages flower growth.
Conversely, if they wish to create CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive chemical present in cannabis, they may utilize a PGR that slows down flower growth.
PGRs are extensively employed in agriculture to increase the yield, quality, and uniformity of cannabis. They may be used to regulate flowering, fruit set, and leaf size; reduce pre-harvest decline, and boost disease resistance. When administered appropriately, PGRs may help farmers produce larger, healthier plants with more blooms or buds.
How to identify PGR Weed?
When looking at cannabis products, it is impossible to discern whether the buds have been treated with plant growth regulators (PGRs) as they are frequently administered during the blooming stage to modify the size, shape, and texture of the buds.
While some farmers employ PGRs to attain a specific aesthetic or enhance yields, others may do so to disguise flaws in their products. Here are some recommendations on how to recognize Cannabis buds treated with PGRs:
- Check for uniformity: One of the obvious characteristics of PGR-treated buds is that they tend to be more consistent in size and shape. If all of the buds on a plant seem very much the same, it’s probable that they’ve been treated with a PGR.
- Look for odd hues: Another typical adverse effect of PGR therapy is bizarre or unnatural colors on the buds. If you find buds that are exceptionally pink, brown, blue, or green, there’s a strong possibility they’ve been treated with a Plant Growth Regulator.
- Inspect the trichomes: Trichomes are the small “hairs” that coat cannabis buds and give them their frosty look. PGRs may cause trichomes to become stunted or malformed, so if you encounter buds with such trichomes, it’s probable that they’ve been treated with one of these products. They are also less sticky
- Feel the texture: Another technique to identify whether cannabis has been treated with a PGR is to just feel the texture of the buds. PGR-treated weed tends to have buds that are found to be tougher and drier than untreated weed.
Is PGR Weed bad for you?
While PGRs and PGR weed offers numerous advantages, there is some worry that they may potentially be hazardous to human health.
- Studies on animals have demonstrated that certain PGRs may induce brain damage and malignancy. There is also evidence that PGRs may affect hormones in people. However, most of these studies were done on animals or in test tubes, so it’s not obvious whether the same effects would occur in humans.
- Some individuals also fear that PGR Weed may contaminate food crops. However, there is no proof that this has ever occurred. In reality, the USDA has rigorous restrictions in place to avoid contamination of food crops with PGRs.
- The usage of PGRs has various non-human hazards linked with it. For example, if not handled appropriately, they might harm or even kill other plants.
Despite these problems, many growers continue to utilize PGRs because they provide a technique to produce huge amounts of high-quality cannabis fast and efficiently.
Overall, there is minimal evidence that PGR Weed is hazardous to human health. However, further study is required to definitely declare whether or not they are safe to smoke.
Why do growers use PGRs?
As we already said, it’s no secret that cannabis is a booming business. Legal cannabis sales were $10.9 billion in 2018 and are predicted to climb to $23.3 billion by 2025 (Forbes, 2019). (Forbes, 2019).
With this tremendous expansion comes the demand for high-quality, consistent goods. To address this need, producers are turning to plant growth regulators (PGRs).
While there is no doubting the advantages of employing PGRs, some individuals dispute if they are required for producing cannabis. After all, cannabis has been produced without the use of chemicals for millennia. However, as the demand for cannabis develops, so does the necessity for large-scale manufacturing.
Need for indoor growth
Outdoor grows are generally not practicable for commercial operations because of space limits and unpredictable weather conditions. Indoor growth offers better control over the environment, but also comes with higher overhead expenditures.
In order to optimize earnings, indoor gardeners need to produce as many high-quality products as possible. This is where PGRs come in.
Improving bud size
PGRs may assist farmers to develop larger plants with more blooms or buds. This is particularly advantageous for indoor growth when the room is restricted.
By employing PGRs, producers may enhance yields while lowering total plant size. This allows them to fit more plants in a smaller space, which increases profits while reducing labor costs.
Improving bud quality
In addition to enhancing production, PGRs may also increase bud quality and uniformity. Cannabis is grown without the use of PGRs often produces small, uneven buds that are difficult to trim and process.
Buds grown with PGRs are typically larger and more uniform in size, which makes them easier to trim and process. This leads to a higher-quality product that is more valuable to customers.
Overall, the use of plant growth regulators can be extremely beneficial for commercial cannabis growers looking to increase yield and improve bud quality. However, it is important to use them properly in order not to damage plants or reduce yields
Types of PGRs?
PGRs may be used to encourage growth, restrain growth, or modify the way a plant develops. PGRs may be found in both synthetic and natural forms, and are employed in a range of sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.
There are numerous distinct varieties of PGRs, each with its own specialized purpose. Normally it is seen that good cannabis brands do not practice using PGRs.
Synthetic PGRs are generated in labs and are frequently more costly than natural ones. However, they tend to be more effective and simpler to utilize. Natural PGRs are generated from plants or other natural sources. They are often less costly than synthetic PGRs but might be more difficult to get.
Common PGRs in cannabis
Some PGRs are naturally occurring hormones, while others are synthetic. The most frequent PGRs include auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins.
Auxins
Auxins are a kind of plant hormone that stimulates cell division and cell elongation. Auxins are involved in several plant processes, including root growth, fruit development, and leaf abscission.
The most well-known auxin is indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). IAA is generated naturally by plants and is also accessible commercially as a synthetic auxin that is used in Cannabis.
Gibberellins
Gibberellins are a family of plant hormone that stimulates cell division and cell elongation. It promotes the creation of enzymes that break down carbs and proteins.
They are involved in several plant activities, including seed germination, stem elongation, flower development, and fruit ripening.
The most well-known gibberellin is gibberellic acid (GA). GA is generated naturally by plants and is also accessible commercially as synthetic gibberellin.
Cytokinins
Cytokinins are a kind of plant hormone that stimulates cell division. Cytokinins also increase the creation of enzymes that break down carbs and proteins. When its levels fall then plants age, which leads to senescence (the process of aging).
Cytokinins are involved in various plant activities, including shoot growth, bud differentiation, root development, stress responses, and disease resistance.
The most well-known cytokinin is a 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP). BAP is generated naturally by plants and is also accessible commercially as a synthetic cytokinin.
