Hop latent viroid (HpLV), formerly known as Dudding Disease, is a plant pathogenic virus. It is a non-capsulated strand of RNA and an obligate parasite that requires the presence of a compatible host for its survivability. It infects Hemp and Cannabis, and due to its ability to remain undetected, it has become an issue of significant risk for these 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 most notably spread from performing mechanical practices with contaminated tools and equipment such as boots, shears, shovels, or tractors. Viroids cannot physically enter a host independently, requiring some vector; in this case, it's with unsterilized tools or equipment when managing cultivars. Propagules can be unintentionally infected when obtaining them from a mother plant, or they can be from an infected plant that is asymptomatic. Hop latent viroid can enter cultivars undetected since plants demonstrate any signs of infection.
Plants 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.
Critical 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. This process could be accomplished by isolating it in a different environment or testing it with available testing kits for the viroid. 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.
Hop latent viroid (HpLV), formerly known as Dudding Disease, is a plant pathogenic virus. It is a non-capsulated strand of RNA and an obligate parasite that requires the presence of a compatible host for its survivability. It infects Hemp and Cannabis, and due to its ability to remain undetected, it has become an issue of significant risk for these 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.
