Quality is the cornerstone of success in the cannabis industry. Virus-free plants produce consistent, high-quality products. The presence of any cannabis pathogen can significantly reduce growth, potency, and yield, as well as cause significant losses for growers. Many pathogens can infect plants and affect the roots, crown, and foliage. Cannabis virus testing can be invaluable in detecting pathogen outbreaks early. Cannabis operators are increasingly performing preventative cannabis virus testing throughout their cultivation processes to avoid potential pitfalls. Test your cannabis products now for cannabis pathogens with Modern Canna, the cannabis industry’s most trusted certified marijuana testing laboratory.
A plant's susceptibility to pathogens can be influenced by many factors, including growing environments and cultivation methods. Cannabis pathogen testing can be invaluable in detecting pathogen occurrences early. Modern Canna conducts cannabis pathogen testing using cannabis-specific qPCR assays to screen plants for four common cannabis viroid/virus infections: Lettuce Chlorosis Virus, Hop Latent Viroid, Cannabis Cryptic Virus, and Beet Curly Top Virus. Our HLvD root testing protocol, which can also be applied to the other viruses mentioned above, allows us to identify potential threats at their earliest stages, enabling you to take prompt action to prevent widespread infections. A critical step in detecting pathogens in cannabis plants is collecting samples. Virus testing on cannabis plants involves sampling, preserving, and analyzing leaf or root tissue from the plant.
What Types of Viruses Do We Test for in Cannabis?
- Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) – is a single-stranded, circular RNA viroid. This viroid can remain latent in cannabis through the life cycle of the plant but can be transmitted even when plants are asymptomatic. When symptomatic, plants with HLVd can experience decreased potency efficacy, stunted growth, and leaf and/or stem abnormalities. Testing for Hop Latent Viroid early on in the cultivation process will assist in avoiding potential pitfalls.
- Cannabis Cryptic Virus (CCV) – is a double-stranded RNA virus. Researchers believe the CCV can have a synergistic relationship with other pathogens and can lead to disease symptoms in the plant. Some symptoms include yellowing of the leaves, smaller flower plants, and decreased resin content in the plants.
- Lettuce Chlorosis Virus (LCV) – is a single-stranded, positive-sense linear RNA virus. Infected plants can exhibit stunted growth and will sometimes have yellowing of the leaves. This infection will not normally kill the plants. However, it will drastically decrease the resin content in the plants, which will impact the overall yield of cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV) - is a single-stranded, circular DNA virus. This virus is unique in the fact that it is spread by an insect, the beet leafhopper, and can spread rapidly in just a few hours because of the mobility of the insect. Some symptoms of this virus include yellowing of the leaves and molting at the base of the leaf.
Additional Pathogen Testing
- Fusarium - is a soil-residing fungus that causes yellowing and wilting of cannabis leaves and stems. Dormant fungi can sit latent in soil for years before they become active and infect viable plants. Additionally, if fusarium is present, there is a potential for the creation of mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites of this fungus.
- Russet Mites - primarily feed on leaves, petioles, and meristems. The mites quickly spread between plants, causing the edges of the leaves to curl along with russeting. Due to their resistance to most pesticides, russet mites must be screened before entering a grow. It is believed that they are hosts for other plant pathogens.
- Botrytis - is often called “bud rot” or “gray mold”. Botrytis is a systemic mold infection that can remain cryptic or dormant for long periods of time before it becomes active. Early detection is difficult since it begins within the buds. Research has also demonstrated that Botrytis can be passed onto future generations through seeds.
- Powdery Mildew - is considered the most destructive pest of cannabis. Despite its ability to vascularize to the plant tissue, it remains invisible to growers. Two weeks into flowering, it tends to emerge and sporulate, destroying mature crops while making preventative testing essential.
Preventative Cannabis Pathogen Testing
Modern Canna’s cannabis virus testing is an innovative service that is rapidly gaining momentum within the cannabis industry. We empower cannabis operators to detect the presence of potentially devastating pathogens at their earliest stages. This early detection is not merely a best practice; it is a necessity for preserving growth, potency, and yield. Modern Canna is the industry's most trusted source of precision, expertise, and proactive risk management. To learn more about all of the testing services we offer, click here.