Hemp and cannabis are high-value crops with tight margins. Growers are expected to deliver potent, consistent flower while cutting back on synthetic inputs and managing environmental impact. One of the most effective ways to do that is by leveraging plant-growth-promoting microbes and microalgae.
Algaeo Hemp Catalyst is formulated around a consortium of organisms with documented plant-growth-promoting traits in various crops: microalgae such as Chlorella vulgaris alongside beneficial bacteria like Rhizobium and Variovorax.
Why This Consortium Makes Sense Biologically
- Chlorella vulgaris – Microalgal biostimulant studies show Chlorella-based inputs can improve plant growth, nutrient uptake, and drought tolerance by enhancing photosynthesis, antioxidant systems, and root development.
- Rhizobium spp. – Well-known for their nitrogen-fixing capabilities in legumes, rhizobia are also being explored more broadly as PGPR that can improve nitrogen availability and root growth when used in mixed consortia.
- Variovorax paradoxus – Recognized as a metabolically versatile PGPR capable of participating in nutrient cycling, modulating plant hormone levels, and improving plant stress responses in several model and crop plants.
What the Research Indicates
Reviews of PGPR and rhizosphere microbiomes consistently show that beneficial bacteria can improve nutrient acquisition, root development, and resilience to abiotic stress. Experiments with Variovorax paradoxus have demonstrated increased plant biomass, altered hormone balances, and improved nitrogen status in host plants.
Microalgal biostimulant research has documented that Chlorella-based products can enhance drought tolerance, nutrient uptake, and overall plant vigor in multiple species, providing a rationale for including microalgae in hemp fertility programs.
While hemp-specific trials with exactly this consortium are still emerging, the mechanisms—biological nitrogen input, improved nutrient cycling, and support for root and stress physiology—are well documented across other crops and serve as the scientific foundation for using these organisms in hemp systems.
Practical Outcomes for Hemp Growers
- More robust roots: better root systems support higher nutrient and water uptake, which underpins yield and quality.
- Improved nutrient-use efficiency: microbial partners help make applied nutrients more available, reducing waste and runoff.
- Support for quality traits: healthier, less stressed plants are better positioned to express their genetic potential for resin and terpene production.
How to Integrate Algaeo Hemp Catalyst
Hemp Catalyst can be used in soil, coco, or other soilless systems. Apply as a root-zone drench or fertigation component according to label directions, particularly during early vegetative growth and the transition into flowering, when roots and nutrient demand are rapidly expanding.
Because it is a biological product, effects accumulate over time as the microbial community establishes and interacts with plant roots. It is best used as part of a season-long strategy, not a one-time “rescue” application.
References
- Backer R, et al. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria: context, mechanisms of action, and roadmap to commercialization. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2018.
- Han JI, et al. Complete genome sequence of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Variovorax paradoxus S110. Journal of Bacteriology. 2011.
- Jiang F, et al. Multiple impacts of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Variovorax paradoxus on plant development and stress tolerance. Journal of Experimental Botany. 2012.
- Acuña JJ, et al. Plant-growth-promoting Variovorax strains and their role in nutrient acquisition and stress mitigation. Scientific Reports. 2024.
- Vangenechten B, et al. How to improve the potential of microalgal biostimulants for abiotic stress mitigation in plants. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2025.
- Fiorentino S, et al. Effects of microalgae as biostimulants on plant growth and stress tolerance. Plants. 2025.