Installation of agriculture tech company Roots’ (ASX: ROO) soil heating system has seen cannabis yields increase by 40%, applying a similar heating system to root soils which humans have been implementing in homes for decades. 

The Root Zone Technology Optimization (RTZO) technology sees Roots install piping within soil depths which enable users to control the soil temperature by running hot or cold water through the pipes. 

Cannabis grower Mendocino Natural Farms installed earlier in the year where growing took place in the Northern California summer. During this period, airborne temperatures reached as low a 10°C at night and as high as 43°C through the day but through these cycles, growers were able to maintain a constant temperature between 22°C and 27°C.

Through application of the root heating technology, Mendocino Natural Farms reported their cannabis harvest yield to be 40% higher compared to previous years. 

 “We are extremely satisfied with the harvest results seen on cannabis. The results have validated the multiple benefits our two-in-one heating and cooling technology can provide to high worth crops by rapidly improving growing cycles and increasing resistance to extreme weather conditions,” said Roots’ CEO, Dr Sharon Devir. 

“The results will allow Roots to build tangible case studies which can be leveraged to secure further sales and complement the company’s sales efforts in the North American cannabis market.”

Beyond cannabis, RZTO has been successfully applied to other crops with the Company earlier reporting 30% yield increases for Basil grown in the Israeli desert, and tomatoes by 19% in Spain.