Segra has developed and validated an in-house assay for Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) through leveraging the capabilities of their in-house molecular biology laboratory, under the leadership of Segra's Chief Science Officer Dr. John Brunstein. This assay now enables the company to monitor HLVd status on incoming materials for induction to tissue culture (TC), monitor the process of mediated clearance of HLVd in any infected cultivars, and allow for the ongoing surveillance of cultivars in Segra's lab and at client grow facilities. This pathogen assay adds to a substantial list of viral, fungal, and bacterial pathogens Segra already test for in-house as part of their Verified Clean Stock program.
Rather than relying on older published HLVd detection assays, Segra's real-time RT-PCR assay is based on consensus of current HLVd sequences recorded in Genbank. This primer set may detect additional sequence variants of HLVd, which would otherwise score false negative with published methods based on older, less complete data.
"Hop Latent Viroid is an increasingly recognized pathogen now showing obvious economic damage in commercial cannabis cultivation globally. As the threats of pathogens in cannabis operations continue to evolve and emerge, Segra's professional team of plant scientists and molecular biologists will be there to adapt to and provide mitigation for these challenges. Our intention in creating this assay was not to establish a commercially available product but instead to use it for internal screening, assess client cultivars for regeneration, and help our clients troubleshoot challenges in their operations. We are pleased that we now have this ability and look forward to supporting our clients in this way," says Jamie Blundell, Chief Executive Officer, Segra International.
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