Jeremy Pfeiffer CIO, Kairospace Technologies Inc | PowrHouse R&D Affiliate jeremy@kairospacetech.com
Kevin Crouch VP of Cultivation – PowrHouse
kevin@powr.house
Abstract This preliminary study was conducted at PowrHouse in Sacramento, CA, within the context of synganic cannabis cultivation—an integrated approach that combines synthetic fertilizer salts with organic beneficial microbe inoculants and ammenments. The objective was to enhance irrigation efficiency, foliar feed applications, plant health, and nutrient absorption. Building on prior confirmations explored in research article “Enhanced Mixing and Dispersion of Amendments with Cavitation-Induced Nanobubbles for Advanced Water Treatment,” this experiment evaluated the impact of low shear cavitation on fertilizer crystallization patterns using evaporation method microscopy. Our findings reveal that low shear cavitation significantly improves solute dispersion, resulting in more uniform crystal formation, potentially offering superior nutrient availability and system efficiency.
1. Introduction Efficient mixing and dispersion of chemical amendments are crucial in modern water treatment systems, especially in synganic cannabis cultivation. Previous studies have shown that low shear cavitation-generated nanobubbles enhance solute dispersion and improve the efficacy of amendments compared to untreated systems. This experiment investigates how low shear cavitation influences the crystallization patterns of a fertilizer solution. Two samples were prepared and analyzed under identical imaging conditions:
Sample 2 – Emitter, after treatment:
Mixed using a Kairospace mixer low shear cavitator.
(200x optical magnification with a 1.79 mm frame width)
Mixed conventionally using a sump pump in a mix tank without low shear cavitation treatment.
(200x optical magnification with a 1.79 mm frame width)
2. Methodology
2.1 Sample Collection Samples for the low shear cavitated test group were collected directly from the drip emitters in the PowrHouse Cultivation Room 2 within the irrigation system to capture the final dispersion state of the treated solution as it reached the cultivation area. In contrast, control samples were collected at the mixing tank, reflecting the conditions of conventionally mixed solutions without the influence of low shear cavitation. This approach ensured a meaningful comparison between the end-use conditions of the low shear cavitated and control solutions.
2.2 Sample Constituents in Synganic Base Nutrient Veg Feed Blend
The nutrient solution used in this experiment was based on the Synganic Base Nutrient Veg Feed blend, a combination designed to support optimal plant growth through a synergy of synthetic and organic components. The blend included:
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- United Nutrients Veg: A high-quality synthetic fertilizer providing essential macronutrients and micronutrients required for vigorous vegetative growth.
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- Hygrozyme Hyclean: An enzymatic formula that aids in maintaining clean irrigation lines, breaking down organic residues, and enhancing nutrient uptake efficiency.
- BioAg Ful-Power: A humic acid amendment that improves nutrient availability and promotes root development, enhancing the plant’s ability to absorb both macro and micronutrients effectively.
This combination supports the synganic cultivation approach by balancing precise nutrient delivery with the benefits of organic soil biology.
ZTopia
Cultivated by PowrHouse (Synganics Recipe)
photography by Josh Monthei
2.3 Low Shear Cavitation System Installation The cavitators were strategically installed at 2 key points within the irrigation lines, servicing the fert tank room and cultivation test room. One low shear cavitator was positioned nearest to the delivery pump to ensure initial mixing efficiency, while another was installed inside cultivation Room 2 to maintain optimal dispersion and solute activity as the solution approached the plants. This setup was designed to maximize the mechanical and chemical benefits of low shear cavitation and mixing throughout the full irrigation system.
Kairospace JetCAV Installation in PowrHouse cultivation Room 2
Each test group consisted of five separate replicate drops, selected based on the uniformity and continuity of key particle characteristics. This approach was designed to provide maximum statistical value to the sample selection process.
Experiment group sample slide
2.3 Microscopy Technique An evapo-method microscopy technique was employed to compare the crystallization behavior, providing high-resolution observations of the crystalline structures formed under different mixing conditions. The evaporation method involves evaporating a group water droplets in a controlled environment chamber onto a microscope slide and analyzing the residue to observe crystalline structures. This technique provides valuable insights into the homogeneity, composition, and distribution of dissolved solids within the treated water.
2.4 Imaging Conditions The samples were imaged at 200x optical magnification with a 1.79 mm frame width to ensure consistent visualization and scale measurement of crystal structures.
2.5 ImageJ Software Analytical Methodology To reinforce the scientific rigor of this experiment, ImageJ software was employed as the primary analytical tool for particle and crystallization analysis. ImageJ offers advanced capabilities for quantitative image analysis. Its features include precise particle counting, size measurement, area coverage calculation, and Feret dimension analysis. The software’s ability to process high-resolution microscopic images allows for detailed assessment of crystal structures, homogeneity, and distribution patterns.
3. Results
The following additional physiochemical metrics were recorded to provide further context to the crystallization behavior observed:
| Parameter | Cavitated Sample 2 (Emitters) | Conventional Sample 1 (Mixing Tank) |
|---|---|---|
| EC (Electrical Conductivity) | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| pH | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| DO (Dissolved Oxygen, ppm) | 12.46 | 13.4 |
The key findings from the ImageJ software particle analysis are as follows:
| Metric (mm) | Cavitated Sample 2 (Emitters) | Conventional Sample 1 (Mixing Tank) |
Observation |
| Crystal Count | 1638 | 716 | Cavitated mixing resulted in significantly more crystals. |
| Total Area (%) | 16.94% | 8.65% | Cavitation increased overall coverage and dispersion. |
| Average Crystal Size | 0.000331 | 0.000386 | Conventional mixing led to larger individual crystals. |
| Feret (Max Dimension) | 0.026 | 0.028 | Conventional crystals were slightly elongated. |
| MinFeret (Min Dimension) | 0.015 | 0.016 | Similar small-width characteristics. |
| Perimeter | 0.080 | 0.081 | Slightly larger perimeters in conventional mixing. |
Sample 2 from emitter, ImageJ analysis and particle characterization
Sample 1 from tank, ImageJ analysis and particle characterization
4. Discussion
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- Crystallization Pattern Differences: The cavitated sample exhibited a significantly higher number of smaller crystals, while the conventionally mixed sample produced fewer, larger crystals. This suggests that low shear cavitation enhances nucleation, leading to more but smaller crystals compared to conventional mixing.
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- Surface Area & Distribution: The increased % area coverage in cavitated samples suggests improved dispersion and homogeneity of crystal formation.
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- Structural Characteristics: While Feret measurements were slightly larger for conventionally mixed crystals, this may be due to slower growth dynamics in the absence of cavitation-induced nucleation.
These findings align with previous observations where cavitation-induced nanobubbles created a high surface area-to-volume ratio, promoting efficient dispersion of amendments. The improved mixing ensures that active components interact more effectively with water constituents, maximizing their chemical and biological action.
5. Conclusion
Low shear cavitation significantly influences the crystallization of fertilizer solutions, resulting in higher nucleation rates and finer crystal dispersion. These findings suggest that low shear cavitation technology can be highly beneficial for applications requiring more uniform, smaller-sized crystallites, such as enhanced solubility and reactivity in agricultural systems. The interaction between synganic constituents and low shear cavitation-induced mixing likely plays a key role in the observed differences in crystallization patterns, solute dispersion, and nutrient stability.
6. Recommendations for Further Research
Future studies should explore:
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- The effects of cavitation at varying energy levels and impact on fertilizer dissolution rates.
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- How crystal structure impacts fertilizer dissolution rates.
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- Potential modifications to optimize crystal size distribution for specific agricultural applications.
- Long-term effects of cavitation-treated fertilizers on nutrient uptake and plant health in synganic cannabis cultivation.