"A Billion-Dollar Industry on the Brink: Will Viruses Jeopardize Australia's Booming Hemp Sector?"

"A Billion-Dollar Industry on the Brink: Will Viruses Jeopardize Australia's Booming Hemp Sector?"

In recent years, the #hempindustry has experienced a flux of #virus threats in many parts of the world. This is concerning as it can lead to crop losses and decreased yields, reducing profits for #farmers and other stakeholders in the sector. Viruses are increasingly threatening #crop production across the globe.?

Currently, there are a few known viruses that attack #cannabis plants but their levels of infection and potential crop losses are not very well known. As an example, a study identified two types of viruses causing significant damage to industrial hemp crops: the Hemp streak virus (HSV) and the Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Symptoms of these viruses include stunting, yellowing leaves, and complete plant death. Both viruses can quickly spread between neighbouring fields due to their high transmission rate by aphids or other vectors like wind-borne particles. Other known viral infections that affect cannabis plants include Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), potato virus X (PVX), tomato ringspot virus (TomRSV), potato virus Y (PYW), broad bean wilt viruses (BBWVs), arabis mosaic viruses (ArMVs), and raspberry ringspot viruses (RpRSVs).

Although ad-hoc virus-like symptoms were observed across many crops/ trials in Australia and other parts of the world, luckily, no commercial losses of hemp crops due to viral infections have not been reported in Australia.

It is important for farmers growing industrial-grade hemp crops today to be aware of these (potential) viral infections, so they know how best to implement pre-emptive measures to protect their fields from potential damages. Generally speaking, preventative measures such as crop rotation will help minimise losses associated with widespread #outbreaks like those seen during Kegler and Spaar's research period back in 1997. To prevent further outbreaks from occurring it is important for growers to implement effective biosecurity measures such as #monitoring fields regularly for signs of infection; using #resistant #varieties when possible; #avoiding contact with infected plants; removing #weeds which may act as hosts for the spreaders; and applying appropriate #treatments where necessary.

It is important to note that the importation of planting seeds into Australia is strictly regulated by the #Australian #Department of #Agriculture and #Biosecurity to protect the agriculture industry.

Despite this, there are currently no testing measures in place to detect viruses that may be present in imported seeds and products. This lack of virus detection may put the multi-million-dollar industry and hemp crops at risk for infection from foreign viruses, potentially leading to devastating consequences for the environment or agricultural industry.

In order to adequately protect our country’s hemp industry, a comprehensive system needs to be established that tests all incoming seed shipments for viral contamination before they can enter Australia’s borders. Such a system should also include regulations on how long any infected materials must remain quarantined (or destroyed) until they are deemed safe enough to release back into circulation without posing further risks or spreading threats to hemp crops within their new home environment. Ultimately, implementing effective biosecurity protocols when it comes to importing seeds will help ensure that only healthy materials make their way onto Australian soil while simultaneously protecting our natural resources from potential harm caused by an influx of invasive viruses carried through these imports.

By taking proactive steps towards better monitoring what enters our country we can work together towards creating healthier ecosystems with greater biodiversity across the board.

Disclaimer “these are my opinions only.”