There are many biological processes that occur, some simultaneously, in a living plant. Some processes continue even after the cultivar is harvested like in the case of the curing process.
Gas exchange
Plants draw in CO2, Oxygen, and water vapor from the air around them via the Stomata. These compounds are essential to other processes such as photosynthesis and Respiration. Airflow/wind speed has a strong effect on transpiration rate, gas exchange, and photosynthesis[1].
Photosynthesis
The Cannabis plant photosynthesizes like most plants. It uses carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ribulose bisphosphate (an organic carbon compound) for photosynthesis, so it is categorized as a C3 plant.
C3 carbon fixation in photosynthesis leads to several characteristics:
- Thrives where CO2 concentration is > 200ppm
- Cannot survive in very hot environments
- Loses 97% of water via transpiration