Pathogens Analysis
Pathogens analysis involves testing cannabis and hemp plants to detect and identify specific pathogens that can negatively affect their health and growth. This type of analysis helps to identify diseases caused by viruses and fungi, such as Hop Latent Viroid and Botrytis, which can cause stunted growth or "bud rot."
Hop Latent Viroid (HpLVd)
Sample Size Required for Analysis:
1 leaf and/or root
Hop latent viroid (HpLVd) refers to a single-stranded, circular infectious RNA. Originally identified in hops, HpLVd has made its way to cannabis cultivation sites. In hops, the viroid produces no symptoms. In cannabis and hemp plants, symptoms are referred to as "dubbing" and include the following:
- Stunted growth
- Reduced vigor
- Brittle stems
- Smaller flowers
- Immature trichomes
Botrytis
Sample Size Required for Analysis:
1 leaf near the top of the plant
A pathogenic fugus that causes a gray mold on plants, typically leading to rot and decay. In cannabis specifically, Botrytis is known as “bud rot” and tends to affect the top colas of plants in late flower. However, it is able to infect all parts of the plant at any life stage. Symptoms include:
- A white dusting on buds in the early stages of infection
- Once established, a gray mold on the inner portions of buds, often on the large top colas
- Necrosis or dying tissue around the infected area
Fusarium
Sample Size Required for Analysis: 1 leaf and 1-2 in. of roots (preferably larger in diameter)
A group of filamentous fungi found naturally in soil and associated with plants. Often infecting young vegetative plants, fusarium wilt can destroy a crop easily and is hard to combat once it has taken hold in an environment. Infection often occurs initially in roots but quickly spreads throughout the plant. Symptoms include:
- Leaf spotting and curling
- Wilting of leaves
- Eventual necrosis of plant tissue
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
Tobacco Mosaic Virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that infects a wide variety of herbaceous plants. The first plant virus ever discovered, it doesn't have a cure and can severely stunt the plant's growth. Symptoms in cannabis plants include:
- Mottled, twisting leaves
- Slow growth
- Mosaic (striped) yellow pattern on leaves
- Low potency
- Often confused with the occasional genetic mutation which causes a two toned leaf blade
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