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This episode’s guest is plant pathology expert Zamir Punja, PhD of Simon Fraser University’s Department of Biological Sciences. Zamir’s research investigates the causes and management of plant diseases on cannabis, including fusarium, penicillium, powdery mildew, botrytis, as well as new and emerging plant pathogens. His CannMed 2018 presentation featured several amazing images Zamir’s team captured using an electron microscope. The image of powdery mildew mycelia wrapped around a cannabis trichome is one I won’t soon forget. Beside to check out the link to that video below.
In addition to his work on plant diseases, Zamir’s team has used their electron microscope to investigate the structure of cannabis trichomes, and will present those findings at CannMed 2021. I expect we will see even more amazing images during that presentation. In fact, Zamir gave us a few as a preview. Check out the Additional Resources section below to see them.
Topics discussed on the podcast include:
- How diseases infect and affect cannabis plants
- Which cultivation methods are more prone to infection
- How to breed for pathogen resistance
- Which pathogens pose a risk to consumers
- How each of the four observed cannabis trichome structures differs and what each might be responsible for
Thanks to our sponsor, The Growers Network, and please check out their Canna Cribs series, your behind-the-scenes look at some of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced grows in the world. Also check out The Hemp Coffee Exchange and use the promo code “drinkhemp” to get 10% off your purchase.
Additional Resources:
- Close up trichome photographs: Image 1, Image 2
- Epidemiology of Fusarium.oxysporum causing root and crown rot of cannabis (Cannabis.sativa L., marijuana) plants in commercial greenhouse production
- First report of Fusarium.proliferatum causing crown and stem rot, and pith necrosis, in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., marijuana) plants
- Emerging Diseases of Cannabis Sativa and Approaches to Management – Zamir Punja, Ph.D – CannMed 2018 Presentation
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