Episode 150: Plants Under Pressure: How Stress Shapes Secondary Metabolites (w/ Dr. José Leme)

n this conversation with plant scientist and commercial cultivation strategist Dr. Matthew Indest, we explore the emerging frontier of seed-based cannabis production and what it would take for the industry to move beyond clonal propagation.We cover:The agronomic upside of seed-grown plants (disease resistance, vigor, adaptability, cost savings)The scientific and operational barriers preventing widespread seed adoptionHow genetic stability, inbreeding depression, and trait selection differ between cannabis and traditional cropsData-driven cultivation strategies for evaluating new seed linesWhether seed-based production can truly rival clonal systems for consistency and top-tier flower qualityWhat the next decade of cannabis breeding and cultivation might look likeAbout Dr. Indest:Matthew holds a Ph.D. in plant science and has spent more than a decade bridging academic research with applied cannabis production. He has led breeding and cultivation programs across indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations and focuses on developing high-performing cultivars and integrated, data-backed production systems. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This wide-ranging conversation with Bryant Mason covers a series of essential—but frequently misunderstood—topics in organic cultivation. We explore why simple, low-tech data collection strategies often outperform high-tech systems and how to interpret those readings in the real world. From there, we break down how pH truly behaves in biologically active soils, what your water test results do and don’t tell you, and how water chemistry shapes nutrient availability.We also discuss practical considerations for under-canopy lighting, when it helps and when it’s a distraction, and dig into the recurring challenges Bryant sees around phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil. Throughout the episode we jump between concepts, case studies, and troubleshooting insights that growers can apply immediately.Topics Covered:Low-tech monitoring and data-collection approachespH dynamics in organic systemsWater testing and interpreting resultsUnder-canopy lighting: pros, cons, and real-world usePhosphorus and nitrogen management in living soilPractical troubleshooting and decision-making strategies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.Topics covered include:Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolismWhen to use far-red and what to expect from itThe truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite productionManaging leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFDHow fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphologyUsing dimming strategies through different growth stagesWhy overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gainsPractical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performanceDavid also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.Resources mentioned:Fluence by OSRAMKiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.Topics covered include:Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolismWhen to use far-red and what to expect from itThe truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite productionManaging leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFDHow fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphologyUsing dimming strategies through different growth stagesWhy overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gainsPractical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performanceDavid also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.Resources mentioned:Fluence by OSRAMKiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can stress actually improve flower quality? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. José Leme to dive into the science of plant stimuli and how growers can apply it in practice. We cover:🌿 Mechanical cues — how super cropping and vibration trigger plant defense pathways.💧 Water restriction — why moderate, timed drought can shift carbon toward secondary metabolites like terpenes and cannabinoids.🧪 Jasmonates (MeJA) — when they increase trichome density, and what trade-offs you need to consider.🔬 Trichome measurement pitfalls — why bracts are the gold standard for consistent data.🌱 Propagation & trial design — the importance of clonal fidelity and standardized protocols when testing stress strategies.Dr. Leme and I also highlight practical guardrails for growers: cultivar differences, timing, and the “sweet spot” between beneficial stress and damaging stress.📄 Referenced Studies:Water Deficit Stress and Secondary MetabolitesJasmonates in Growth, Trichomes, and CannabinoidsMetabolic Responses to Water DeficitTrichome Sampling & Quantification MethodsTrigonelline as a Biomarker for Drought Stress (Preprint)Propagation & Clonal Fidelity in Cannabis ResearchAdditional vibration study discussed in the episode.🎧 Whether you’re a grower, consultant, or researcher, this conversation will give you a framework for using stress not as a risk—but as a precision tool to enhance plant quality. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we're diving deep into lighting and photobiology with Shane Torpey, founder of MIGRO. With a background in engineering and construction, Shane turned his passion for growing into a global grow lighting company known for trusted reviews and educational content.We break down what’s working—and what’s not—in cannabis lighting for 2025, including:Far-red and intra-canopy lightingLED vs. HPS and how to transitionMaximizing PPFD without added CO₂Dimming schedules at sunrise/sunsetThe impact of lenses on LED light penetrationWhat really matters when choosing a grow lightEmerging technologies shaping the future of cultivationWhether you’re scaling a facility or dialing in your home grow, this episode gives you the tools to make smarter lighting decisions rooted in science and real-world data.Links to channels here:https://www.youtube.com/@MIGROLIGHThttps://www.instagram.com/migrolight/https://www.facebook.com/MIGROLIGHT/https://www.tiktok.com/@migrolight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

📝 Episode Highlights:Connor’s journey from greenhouse grower to propagation leaderScaling propagation: key infrastructure and protocolsHormonal treatments and substrate selection for optimal rootingManaging cultivar libraries and mother plant healthIPM and environmental control strategies tailored for vegWriting and refining SOPs for compliance and consistencyTrack-and-trace integration in a regulated cannabis marketThe role of living soil vs. hydroponics in Connor’s career🧪 Mentioned in This Episode:Collective Elevation: www.collectiveelevation.comKIS Organics Products & Podcast: www.kisorganics.comCannabis Cultivation & Science Conference: September 5–7, 2025, Bozeman, Montana — featuring Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Dr. Greenhouse, Jeremy Plumb, and more. Early bird tickets available now!Join our Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/KISOrganics Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Gutensohn, an expert in plant physiology and secondary metabolism, to explore the intricate relationship between environmental stress and the production of secondary metabolites in cannabis. We discuss how various abiotic stressors—such as light intensity, temperature fluctuations, and nutrient availability—can influence the biosynthesis of key phytochemicals, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Dr. Gutensohn shares insights from his research on plant defense mechanisms, metabolic signaling pathways, and how growers might harness controlled stress to enhance both plant resilience and phytochemical output. Whether you’re a cultivator aiming to fine-tune your grow environment or a scientist delving into cannabis metabolomics, this episode offers valuable, research-backed perspectives on optimizing secondary metabolite production through stress modulation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Cannabis Cultivation and Science podcast, I'm your host Tad Hussey of KIS Organics. This is the podcast where we discuss the cutting edge of growing from a science based perspective and draw on top experts from around the industry to share their wisdom and knowledge. My guest this week is Bryant Mason. I’ve had Bryant on the podcast a few times in the past and he’s one of my favorite guests.Bryant is a Certified Crop Advisor who specializes in organic cannabis nutrition. He has spent the last 8 years working to combine precision laboratory techniques with data science in an effort to unravel the complexities of cannabis soil and crop nutrition. Along with his work on soilless media, he also helps outdoor cultivators around the U.S. with nutrient management and cover cropping. If you would like to do soil testing, help interpreting a soil test, or are interested in an online course on these subjects, his website is www.soildoctorconsulting.com. If you want to save $100 on his course, you can use the discount code KISORGANICS, all one word. I’ve taken his course and was recently going back to review some of the content. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to do a deep dive on cannabis fertility and re-using your soil.After recording the podcast with Bryant, he had a couple of points he wanted to clarify so there is a short addendum that I added in at the very beginning of the podcast.Now on to the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before starting the podcast, I wanted to share about an exciting new conference that we are hosting in conjunction with Collective Elevation in Bozeman, Montana. I’ve been talking to Suzanne Wainwright Evans about hosting a conference for years, and Adam at Collective graciously offered to open up his doors and let us host it on his property. The event is happening on September 5-7th, 2025 and I’m super excited. We are kicking it off with workshops from The Bug Lady Suzanne and Dr. Greenhouse, followed by a facility tour and then a bunch of excellent speakers and networking events over the next 2 days. Then on the 7th, the Montana Living Soil Alliance is hosting a tasting event that will be included in the price of the conference ticket. The tasting event will be a private event, with cannabis donated by the Living Soil Alliance, as a way to have an amazing sensory experience and see what premium quality Montana Living Soil has to offer. Tickets are limited to 200 spots, so be sure to grab a ticket if you’re interested. Tickets are now on sale at kisorganics.com and the conference is called the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Conference.In honor of the conference, I wanted to do an interview series with some of the amazing folks at Collective Elevation to give a growers perspective and share some of what they’ve been able to accomplish. I’ve already had Adam Arnold on the podcast and you can also view a tour of their facility on the kisorganics youtube page.My guest this week is Jared Ferguson, the Greenhouse Manager at Collective Elevation. He’s been working at Collective for over 4 years now, but prior to that he studied Environmental horticulture at Montama State University in bozeman. During which he worked for the universities greenhouse facility and research farm, where hje got his first experiences in mixing soil, amending plants, managing irrigation, and conducting IPM processes. Now on to the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.