Hop latent viroid (abbreviated HpLVd, or HLVd) is a viroid, which is known to cause the Dudding Disease in hemp and cannabis.[1][2] It is a non-capsulated strand of RNA and an obligate parasite that requires the presence of a compatible host for its survivability. It can have minor effects on hop quality,[3] but has shown to cause severe stunting in hemp and cannabis.[4] Due to its ability to remain undetected, it has become an issue of significant risk for some hemp and cannabis cultivars. Studies regarding this viroid and its ability to infiltrate its plant host are well underway; however, addressing measures to reduce its introduction into growing environments is still challenging.
| Hop latent viroid | |
|---|---|
Virus classification 
| |
| (unranked): | Viroid |
| Family: | Pospiviroidae |
| Genus: | Cocadviroid |
| Species: | Hop latent viroid
|
Transmission
editHLVd has the potential to spread across long distances and may infiltrate hop fields through the use of infected propagation materials. Within hop fields, HLVd spreads mechanically, through processes such as grafting and vegetative propagation, as well as via the use of tools or equipment that are contaminated.[4] The spread of HLVd in cannabis production may follow the same transmission patterns as known for hop production thus it is recommended to pay attention to clean management and infection free planting material.[5]
Effects on plant
editPlants affected by hop latent viroid may display stunted growth, brittle stems, and reduced foliage; symptoms result from RNA of the viroid disrupting the plant metabolites. These symptoms are reflected in the plant's foliage as trichome development becomes uneven and leaves develop chlorosis. Unfortunately, there are no signs to pre-diagnose the viroid-infected plant, so the plant's physiology and yield quality are indicators.
Management
editCritical practices in managing hop latent viroid involve narrowing down the viroid-infected plant before introducing it to a growing environment. Cannabis and hemp are grown from propagules obtained from a mother plant; verifying if the mother plant is diseased is essential to avoid propagating that plant. Testing plant material or residues for HLVd infections can be accomplished by isolating total RNA and subsequent PCR testing.[6] Monitoring the plant's development (height and foliage) and identifying any abnormalities could indicate the presence of the viroid (for newly introduced plants). However, as previously mentioned, the viroid can go undetected, and growing these plants require mechanical practices. Tools for any conducted procedure must be carefully sanitized with a solution of 10% bleach to kill off hop-latent viroid (if potentially present) before and after usage.[5]
Research with HLVd-infected hop plants has shown that HLVd can be partially degraded through biogas fermentation and high-temperature pretreatment, highlighting potential methods for viroid decontamination in hop production.[6]
References
edit- ^ Bektaş, A.; Hardwick, K. M.; Waterman, K.; Kristof, J. (October 2019). "Occurrence of Hop Latent Viroid in Cannabis sativa with Symptoms of Cannabis Stunting Disease in California". Plant Disease. 103 (10): 2699. doi:10.1094/PDIS-03-19-0459-PDN. ISSN 0191-2917. S2CID 196687580.
- ^ Warren, J. G.; Mercado, J.; Grace, D. (October 2019). "Occurrence of Hop Latent Viroid Causing Disease in Cannabis sativa in California". Plant Disease. 103 (10): 2699. doi:10.1094/PDIS-03-19-0530-PDN. ISSN 0191-2917. S2CID 196658818.
- ^ Patzak, Josef; Henychová, Alena; Krofta, Karel; Svoboda, Petr; Malířová, Ivana (2021-10-26). "The Influence of Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) Infection on Gene Expression and Secondary Metabolite Contents in Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Glandular Trichomes". Plants. 10 (11): 2297. doi:10.3390/plants10112297. ISSN 2223-7747. PMC 8617911. PMID 34834660.
- ^ a b Adkar-Purushothama, Charith Raj; Sano, Teruo; Perreault, Jean-Pierre (2023-03-04). "Hop Latent Viroid: A Hidden Threat to the Cannabis Industry". Viruses. 15 (3): 681. doi:10.3390/v15030681. ISSN 1999-4915. PMC 10053334. PMID 36992390.
- ^ a b "Hop Latent Viroid Information". Kaizen Horticulture. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ a b Hagemann, Michael Helmut; Born, Ute; Sprich, Elke; Seigner, Luitgardis; Oechsner, Hans; Hülsemann, Benedikt; Steinbrenner, Jörg; Winterhagen, Patrick; Lehmair, Erich (November 2021). "Degradation of hop latent viroid during anaerobic digestion of infected hop harvest residues". European Journal of Plant Pathology. 161 (3): 579–591. Bibcode:2021EJPP..161..579H. doi:10.1007/s10658-021-02344-2. ISSN 0929-1873. S2CID 239634519.
External sources
edit- Dorantes, Oscar Armando (June 2021). "Fool's Gold: Diseased Marijuana and Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome". J Investig Med. 69 (5): 1063–1064. doi:10.1136/jim-2021-001980. PMC 8223652. PMID 34074707.
- "Hop Latent Viroid in Cannabis". Medicinal Genomics, 4 Mar. 2023
- Scheck, Heather. "Hop Latent Viroid". Pest Rating Proposals and Final Ratings, 29 Apr. 2022.
- Wilson, Tim. "The Hop Latent Viroid's Warning Shot to the Canadian Cannabis Industry". StratCann, 1 Apr. 2021.