HPLVD, Or Hop Latent Virus, Is The Hemp Industry's Smallest But Biggest Problem.

Hop Latent Viroid (HPLVD) was initially discovered in hops, as the name would imply. Hop plants that are afflicted with the fungus show no outward signs of illness. Hemp plants (Cannabis sativa) infected with a virus might or might not show any symptoms. Affected plants show signs of slow development, diminished vitality, brittle stems, fewer flowers, and underdeveloped trichomes. Dudding is a popular name for this condition. The smallest plant-killing organisms we know of are called viroids, and they cause damage to orchards and field crops. Viroids are single-stranded RNA molecules, similar to some plant pathogenic viruses, however viroids are smaller and are not encapsidated. The first viroid was found in potato spindle tubers in 1971. As of now, 29 more viroids have been identified.

Research suggests that infected propagation material is a major vector for the introduction of the HPLVD. Horticultural techniques are demonstrated to be the vector for subsequent viroid transmission from infected to healthy plants. Mechanical transmission is a frequent route for many plant-killing viruses. Tools (such pruning shears) were shown to be more successful than spontaneous abrasions induced by direct contact with hop plants in transmitting HPLVD. Additionally, there is no proof that aphids can transmit and disperse the viroid across vast distances. Effective management of HpLVd relies primarily on avoiding infections in the first place. The best strategy to prevent HpLVd is to only use disease-free seed and propagation material. Verne Bioanalytics is set up for high throughput molecular testing, which allows for quick turnaround times even when testing large quantities of seeds and plant material for HpLVd. Our plant pathologists have also designed various disease assays in addition to HPLVD testing in a single experiment.

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Verne Bioanalytics has maintained its commitment to quality results and good customer service during its decades-long history of working with seed companies, nurseries, and farmers of varying sizes. For the hemp industry, our genotyping lab also offers disease testing, as well as variety identification and sex marker analysis.

Hops latent viroid: a new strain of a deadly cannabis virus is making its way around the world.

A highly destructive virus is spreading across North America, attacking cannabis farms and severely diminishing crop quality and productivity. Since the first infections were discovered in 2017 in California, the virus is still relatively new to cannabis crops and may not be well understood. A virus known as Hops Latent Viroid has been found in LP crops across the country in Canada. The so-called virus is actually a viroid, making it even less noticeable than a typical virus. Hops, a close cannabis relative, has a history of being influenced by the hops latent viroid (HPLVD). The ability to hibernate in asymptomatic plants is what gives rise to the latency part of the name. It was first discovered a few years ago in British Columbia, Canada, and is now thought to have spread to over 40% of licenced producer crops across Canada.

Hops Latent Virus Detection Techniques

The home grower is out of luck because the viroid's presence can only be confirmed in a laboratory. Due to its latent nature, HPLVD is notoriously difficult to detect and typically necessitates laboratory testing of tissue samples to confirm infection. The virus is transmitted either directly from infected mother plant to cloned progeny or indirectly through contaminated gardening implements like as shears and scalpels. The term "mechanical transmission" is commonly used by professionals in the field of integrated pest control (IPM). HPLVD is capable of remaining dormant in a strain during multiple generational shifts and is also spread by seed. It is reported that 8 percent of seeds from an infected plant might transmit the infection to another plant.

Once A Cannabis Plant Has Been Infected By The Virus, What Steps Should Be Taken To Remedy The Situation?

Viruses in tissue culture samples can be killed with either cold or heat treatment. The use of such therapies can be time-consuming and expensive, even in commercial cannabis cultivation. Eliminating HPLVD infected plants is the most efficient method of control. True especially for the amateur cannabis grower. HLV is similar to a parasite in that it can only survive on its host, the cannabis plant.

Reasonable Precautions

Using sterile propagation equipment is the most effective method of preventing the transmission of the hops viroid. Highly effective sterilization can be achieved using Verne Bioanalytics Retrobrite H2O2. Additionally, gardening tools can be disinfected by soaking them in a solution of 10% bleach and water. One must use extreme caution while exchanging genetics with other growers, in addition to sterilizing. This is due to the fact that the disease cannot be recognised visually, unlike fungal cannabis infections or pest damage.

Hops Virus Symptoms

Infected plants may have reduced yields, brittle branches, delayed flowering, lower than normal THC levels, and a decrease in trichome production. Studies on diseased plants have indicated that synthesis of THC and cannabinoids is reduced by as much as 70%. Cannabinoid production will decline further as contaminated mother plants are used for vegetative propagation. Home gardeners cannot be sure the viroid is the cause of growth retardation. The genetic makeup of cannabis means that some varieties will always be naturally dwarfed by others. Naturally occurring variance in growth characteristics among individuals cultivating the same cannabis strain due to phenotypic features is another source of confusion.

HPLVD has been known as "dudding disease" among backyard gardeners for quite some time. In the eyes of the average cannabis farmer, they are simply defective plants. If the yields from this variety aren't satisfactory, the farmer will likely look elsewhere. By eliminating the affected plant, this may help to alleviate the infection issue.