South Carolina Commercial Hemp Trial: 25% Higher CBD with OMRI Listed Soil Probiotic

Results at a glance

Metric	Untreated control	Sunrise treated
Total CBD	12.30%	15.40% (+25.2%)
Total cannabinoids	15.61%	19.60% (+25.6%)
Delta-9 THC (limit 0.3%)	0.03%	0.03% (compliant)
Harvest moisture	71.0%	69.2%

The problem

A commercial hemp grower in South Carolina wanted to increase CBD content and total cannabinoid percentage at harvest without altering the existing nutrient program or risking non-compliant Δ9 THC levels. In commercial hemp production, cannabinoid percentage drives per-pound crop value while Δ9 THC compliance, capped federally at 0.3%, determines whether a harvest can legally move through the market at all. The trial evaluated whether Sunrise Soil Probiotic, an OMRI Listed and CDFA registered multi-strain microbial inoculant of beneficial bacteria and fungi, could improve cannabinoid production under matched field conditions. Control and treated plots were analyzed at harvest for Total CBD, Total Cannabinoids, Δ9 THC, Total THC, and moisture content to isolate Sunrise as the differentiating input.

Before, during, and after

Before

The untreated control plot tested at 12.30% Total CBD and 15.61% Total Cannabinoids, with Δ9 THC at 0.03%, Total THC at 0.53%, and moisture content of 71.0% at harvest. The control plot established the baseline cannabinoid profile under the existing production program, with no microbial inoculant added beyond the standard fertility regime. Cannabinoid percentages at this level reflect typical Southeast hemp production but leave room for improvement in per-pound crop value driven by CBD and total cannabinoid content.

After

The Sunrise-treated plot tested at 15.40% Total CBD, a 25.2% increase over the control, and 19.60% Total Cannabinoids, a 25.6% increase. Moisture at harvest measured 69.2%, slightly lower than control and favorable for post-harvest drying and storage. Δ9 THC measured 0.03%, identical to the control, while Total THC measured 0.69%. The trial demonstrated meaningfully higher CBD and total cannabinoid content in the Sunrise-treated hemp with no increase in measured Δ9 THC, important for commercial growers operating under federal compliance thresholds. For licensed CBD hemp producers, certified organic operations, and Southeast farms looking to lift cannabinoid content without disrupting their existing fertility program or compliance profile, this trial demonstrates what an OMRI Listed multi-strain soil probiotic like Sunrise can deliver under real production conditions.

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Product used in this trial

Sunrise Soil Probiotic

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