Identification and characterization of diseases in Cannabis sativa L.

Abstract

The medicinal Cannabis crop is one of the main growing agricultural activities in Colombia. However, the increase in production areas and the intensification of crops brings a greater predisposition to pests and diseases incidence. The objective of this research was to identify the main diseases associated with a high-density commercial Cannabis crop in a greenhouse. Samples of disease symptoms present in the crop during a round year of production were characterized. Samples were taken in different phenological phases and areas of the farm such as: propagation areas, field production and post-harvest. A total of 43 samples were collected among diseased tissue, soil, compost, substrates, and water. "Damping off" was present in the highest percentage of samples collected from cuttings (28%), followed by samples affected with leaf spot chlorotic halo symptoms (19%). 26 pure isolates of phytopathogenic fungi were obtained, and morphologically and molecularly characterized causing diseases in the crop. They were consistent with Botrytis cinerea (8%), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (15%), Fusarium sp. (46%), Bipolaris sp. (12%), Rhizoctonia solani (8%) and Corynespora casiicola (8%). Symptoms associated with "Damping off" or wilt tissues revealed the presence of Rhizoctonia solani causing strangulation and cutting rot at the base. Three species of Fusarium were reported: Fusarium fujikuroi, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium graminearum, the latter associated with stem end rot. Leaf spot associated with Bipolaris sp. and Corynespora casiicola was present at a high incidence.

Keywords

• corynespora casiicola
• cannabis
• plant diseases
• fusarium graminearum