Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd): A Crisis for the Cannabis Industry

A new crisis has arisen in the cannabis industry: Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd). HLVd is a tiny infectious agent made up only of genetic material (RNA) and does not have a protective protein coating. Unlike viruses and other pathogens, HLVd primarily spreads through mechanical means, such as unsterilized cutting tools and equipment. HLVd has been found in most regions of the world and has impacted cannabis plants in the United States. Symptoms of HLVd infection include stunted growth, brittle stems, leaf malformation, and reduced flower mass. However, plants may not show any symptoms initially, making it difficult to detect the infection just by looking at it. The most reliable way to determine if HLVd is spreading is through regular screening using PCR or other molecular nucleic acid amplification tests.

To combat the threat of HLVd, TUMI Genomics has created a test to detect HLVd infection in cannabis/hemp plants. The test uses a triplex taqman qRT-PCR to detect the presence of HLVd RNA sequences. The test targets two separate regions in the HLVd genome and an endogenous plant transcript, which acts as a positive control. This approach reduces the chance of false positive results and confirms that the test is working properly. TUMI Genomics uses a proprietary method for nucleic acid extraction, which provides results in 24-36 hours.

TUMI Genomics conducted several tests to validate the accuracy and reliability of their HLVd assay. The test was able to detect HLVd at a concentration of 7.5 viroid copies per reaction. The cross-reactivity analysis showed that the test only detects HLVd and not other pathogens. The inclusivity analysis showed that the test can detect 98% of known HLVd variants. Finally, the clinical/comparative validation showed a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 92%.

TUMI Genomics HLVd qRT-PCR assay is a valuable tool for growers and producers in the fight against HLVd infection in the cannabis industry.

Read the report here: Documents and Protocols — TUMI Genomics