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Cannabis and Hemp Pathogen Diagnostics

Our goal is to simplify pathogen detection so you can keep your crops healthy, yields high and focus on serving your customers. We offer a suite of molecular and serological test kits and services for the detection of pathogenic viruses, viroids, bacteria and fungi in cannabis. See below for a breakdown of the highest-impact cannabis diseases and onsite test kits we offer so you can stop the spread in your grow.

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Have a question about plant health or GMO testing? Can't find a product you are looking for? We have experienced staff dedicated solely to providing world-class support. 

Phone574-264-2615 or 800-622-4342
E-mail:  info@agdia.com for general questions & ordering, techsupport@agdia.com for technical product assistance or testing@agdia.com for questions about submitting samples to our Testing Services laboratory

 

 

SUBMIT YOUR SAMPLES

Your samples, your results. Ship your hemp* samples to our ISO 17025-accredited Testing Services laboratory for rapid turn-around time on confidential results. We offer the most comprehensive portfolio of diagnostics for plant pathogens so you can mitigate disease and focus on delivering value to your clients. *Submitters must provide a current hemp license issued by the USDA, State, or Tribal entity. International hemp samples are not accepted at this time.

Hop latent viroid (HLVd/HpLVd)

Hop latent viroid (HLVd/HpLVd, Cocadviroid) is widespread, infecting cultivated hops and cannabis. Hop latent viroid is known to cause a combination of symptoms on Cannabis sativa, including stunting, chlorosis, leaf deformation, brittle stems, reduced flower mass and trichome number, and alteration of typical plant morphology.  This symptomology is commonly referred to collectively as “dudding.” The widespread distribution of HLVd is due to the movement of infected, but asymptomatic propagative materials. Hop latent viroid is spread efficiently via mechanical transmission on tools and equipment.  Therefore, movement within a hop yard or a cannabis facility is facilitated by activities such as pruning and harvesting. As with viruses, no curative therapies exist for viroid infections in mature plants.  Therefore, exclusion is the most important viroid management strategy. Diagnostic testing is the cornerstone of an effective management program.

Fusarium oxysporum

The Fusarium oxysporum species is a ubiquitous fungal inhabitant of soils throughout the world. Amongst the symptomology induced by F. oxysporum, vascular wilts are most common.  Fungal mycelia are soil-borne and enter the plant via natural openings or damaged tissue in the root system.  Thereafter, the pathogen invades the xylem tissue and grows acropetally, clogging xylem vessels, producing microconidia and impeding the upward movement of water and nutrients.  Infected plants display severe chlorosis, unilateral wilting and overall collapse. Fusarium oxysporum is spread long distances via movement of infected plant materials such as cuttings, transplants, roots, bulbs and corms.  Furthermore, spores and mycelia can be transported in infested soil on shoes and clothing, tools, equipment and in surface water. Drenches are utilized in greenhouse crops with success; however, crops such as cannabis are subject to organic growing standards, precluding the use of synthetic fungicides. Exclusion of the pathogen through rapid containment is the most effective management strategy.  This makes the diagnostic testing of plant materials paramount to successful disease management programs. Click here to read more.

Lettuce chlorosis virus (LCV)

Lettuce chlorosis virus (LCV) is a member of the Crinivirus genus and known to cause disease on several economically important plant species.  This virus was first characterized in the early 1990’s, infecting sugar beets and lettuce in southern California, where it is considered endemic. Lettuce chlorosis virus was recently identified as the causal agent of severe disease symptomology on glasshouse-grown medicinal cannabis at an authorized farm in Israel.  Symptoms of infection on cannabis include interveinal and full-leaf chlorosis, leaf distortion, necrosis, purple leaf discoloration and stunting. Lettuce chlorosis virus is spread locally via the feeding activities of Bemisia tabaci, the silverleaf whitefly (Hemiptera), in a semi-persistent manner.  Additionally, mother plants infected with LCV can remain asymptomatic indefinitely, passing the latent virus to cuttings. It is unclear if LCV can be transmitted efficiently on tools or in seed, and further investigation of its epidemiology is ongoing.  Click here for pictures of LCV symptoms.

Beet curly top virus (BCTV)

Curly top disease is caused by Beet curly top virus (BCTV), a Curtovirus (family Geminiviridae). Beet curly top virus is transmitted efficiently by the beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus (Order Hemiptera), in a persistent circulative manner. The virus can be acquired within minutes of feeding, and insects are known to remain viruliferous for up to a month. Beet curly top virus is phloem-limited, and the leafhopper must feed on infected phloem to acquire and transmit the virus to healthy plants. Furthermore, the movement of infected propagative materials can spread the virus across great distances. Mechanical transmission through infected plant sap has been accomplished under experimental conditions. Seed transmission of BCTV is not known to occur. Beet curly top virus has been confirmed infecting industrial hemp and appears to be widespread on this crop throughout regions where vectors are present. Symptoms of infection in cannabis include stunting leaf deformation and chlorosis. Click here for pictures of BCTV symptoms.

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