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The Hidden Problems of Phosphorus

Believe it or not, this element is the the main potential source of heavy metal contamination in cannabis production.


The following is an excerpt from taken from “Eliminating Heavy-Metal Toxicity in Medical Marijuana, to Produce Patients’ Medicine Safer Than Drinking Water…” a research white paper authored by Julian Karadjov, Ph.D. of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, published with permission from Advanced Nutrients.

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Heavy metals are held within phosphorus. Phosphate ions form chelates with many toxic metals that carry them to the plant. Moreover, raw phosphates, mined in many parts of the world, contain substantial amounts of toxic contaminants captured by phosphate ions millions of years ago when the deposits were formed.

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Here’s the important part: When used in the production of fertilizers, such polluted phosphorus would deliver its toxicity to the plants and, eventually, to the humans who consume these plants for medicine (F.H. Oosterhuis, F.M. Brouwer, H.J. Wijnants, 2002).

A controversial policy inspired by scientific research ...

 Whitepaper Image For Heavy Metal Fixed

One of the most controversial decisions made by the Advanced Nutrients Research Team was to launch the company’s new Low Phosphorus Policy. This was fueled by two main factors:

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 • Phosphorus is crucial to the biosynthesis of medically valuable molecules within the cannabis plant. However, phosphorus is not wasted, but is recycled and reused by the plant again and again. The accepted dogma was that the plant needs more phosphorus for enhanced blooming. Now we know, through testing, exactly how much is “enough,” and that plants don’t need any more than this amount.

 • The dark side of phosphorus is that phosphate ions are the main carrier of toxic heavy-metal contamination. When growing a medicinal plant, safety is the most important concern. Hence, supplying the plant with less phosphorus would significantly minimize contamination.

A solution to the controversy was offered by the Advanced Nutrients scientists—give the plants exactly as much phosphorus as they need for a rich harvest, and no more.

Above Image: "Extensive Tissue Sample Testing" chart courtesy of Advanced Nutrients 

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