HPLVD is what? | Verne Bioanalytics

 CANNABIS VIRUS, AN INFECTIOUS VIRUS THAT FEEDS ON CANNABIS

Several instances of a worrying viroid dubbed "hop latent viroid," or HPLVD, have been discovered in cannabis cultivation facilities, prompting more inquiry into the biology of this disease. Unlike many of the common pests and diseases that cannabis cultivators face, HPLVD often shows no outward signs and may be difficult, if not impossible, to identify even with laboratory testing.

The question then becomes, how can we protect ourselves if its presence is so difficult to detect? And since this unknown viroid doesn't seem to be harming cannabis in any way, why is it a problem?

Exactly what is HLVD?

The hop mosaic virus (HLVD) is a single-stranded circular RNA viroid. Due to the strong association between cannabis and hops, HPLVD is also able to infect cannabis and hemp plants.

Since its discovery in 1966, HPLVD has been widely regarded as a danger to hop plant development because of its ability to sometimes reduce the size and vigor of hop plants without presenting any other outward symptoms of sickness. HPLVD may lie unnoticed for months or even years, but your institution may be protected against infection with the right kind of education and awareness.

In 2017, scientists discovered for the first time that HPLVD may also infect cannabis and "feed" on the metabolic system of its host plant, gradually depleting the capacity of the plant. HPLVD has a detrimental effect on the final product quality of cannabis. Infected cannabis plants are smaller, less productive, and more prone to disease. HPLVD may reduce THC production by as much as 50 percent.

Fast Facts about HPLVD:

HPLVD can replicate independently of a host plant and can even live outside of one.

Detection of HPLVD is complicated by the fact that it might lie dormant in the host plant.

The host plant is immune to HPLVD.

IN WHAT WAY DID IT ARRIVE HERE?

In 2017, HPLVD was discovered in a cannabis plantation in California. Glass House Farm's Graham Farrar saw that his plants' stems were becoming brittle, their yields were decreasing, and there were fewer trichomes on the buds. Phylos Bioscience, a genetic testing business based in Portland, Oregon, helped researchers confirm that HPLVD is a condition that causes stunting. The entire results are available in a paper by the same name published by the American Phytopathological Society.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CANNABIS GARDENERS Regarding HPLVD

HPLVD does not have the power to annihilate whole harvests or decimate your plants overnight like many of the other pests, viruses, and illnesses that cannabis producers must battle with. Instead, HPLVD may remain dormant in a mother plant for months before exposing itself and stunting the development of hundreds of clones.

If you want to keep your plants safe, here's everything you need to know about HPLVD.

HPLVD's Impact on Cannabis Crops

Although HPLVD is not a lethal infection, it may significantly reduce business profitability. Infected cannabis plants are weaker, shorter, and less resilient than their uninfected counterparts, and they also produce much fewer cannabinoids and trichomes. The cannabinoid and trichome production of cannabis plants may drop by as much as half when exposed to HPLVD, and the resulting buds will be smaller and less thick.

HLVD SYMPTOMS IN HEMP AND ITS HYBRIDS

HLVD, as previously noted, does not manifest itself visibly in infected cannabis plants and, in rare cases, the viroid may stay dormant for weeks or months. However, the following have been reported as HLVD symptoms in cannabis:

• Stems that are either weak or too frail

• Reduced stature

• Smaller than normal leaf size

• abnormalities in the stems or leaves

• Tender shoots or buds

• Decreased levels of trichomes and resin

• Cannabinoid production has decreased.

DOES ANY TREATMENT EXIST FOR HLVD, AND IF SO, HOW DOES IT WORK?

Once HLVD has infected a plant, it cannot be completely removed. To create offspring of the strain that is immune to HLVD, a clean, uninfected tissue culture must be collected from the host plant.

While it would be preferable if just a small percentage of your mother plants were infected, tissue culture would be your best bet if all of your plants tested positive.

What is the mode of HLVD's dissemination?

Current research points to three primary vectors for the transmission of HLVD from one plant to another.

Transmission may also occur mechanically, for example, if a healthy plant touches a tool that has been used to grasp, trim, or otherwise handle a plant that is already infected. Pruning shears, clippers, pots, containers, and the like are all examples of items that, if not properly sterilized, might potentially spread HLVD.

Transmitting from Mother Plant to Clone: Clones grown from cuttings obtained from an HLVD-infected mother plant will also carry the virus. Although some HLVD-infected clones may survive into the rooting stage, this is quite improbable.

Infected Seeds: Seeds from an HLVD-infected mother plant may transmit the virus to subsequent generations of plants.

HOW TO STOP THE SPREAD OF HLVD IN YOUR SPACE

Analysts found that around 90% of California's cannabis grow facilities tested positive for HLVD in 2021, with roughly 30% of plants in each facility displaying indications of the viroid. If your facility often has "dud" growth, HLVD infection is a real possibility. Even if you haven't come across HLVD yet, it's best to be proactive about preventing an illness from spreading in your building so you may continue counting your blessings.

PROCEDURES FOR CLEANING AND SANITIZING UTILITIES

Essential to stop the spread of HLVD is the establishment of well-defined procedures and work processes for the regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment. Clippers, shears, pots, and anything else used on several plants should be fully sterilized between uses to prevent the spread of HLVD.

TEST CENTERS

A cannabis plant's genetics greatly affect its size, shape, potency, and eventual production; however, if your plants are exhibiting symptoms of HLVD, a lab test can determine whether or not the slow development is due to poor genetics.

It's important to think about lab testing for mother plants before cloning them to save time, energy, and money in the long run and to prevent cloning diseased plants.

Any plant material (mothers and clones) obtained from elsewhere should be isolated from the rest of your facility for a certain period, monitored closely, and tested before being released into the wild. You may not notice a problem with HLVD-infected plants until it is too late if it is spread by other growers or clone makers and then becomes latent.

Protecting your present output by developing a procedure for testing and monitoring new plants can save you time, money, and energy in the long run.

PROVEN SOURCES

Finally, selecting a trustworthy supplier for all plant purchases may greatly aid in lowering the possibility of HLVD entry. Verne Bioanalytics is an example of a reputable clone provider that uses stringent Testing i processes on all of its plants before selling them to customers.

Verne Bioanalytics has tens of thousands of clones available, and they are always releasing innovative new strains and types. Commercial cannabis clones are available now, and you can be certain that they are of the highest quality and will provide a healthy crop.