In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, host Dr. Riley Kirk dives deep into groundbreaking cannabis science with world-renowned molecular biologist Dr. Ali Bektaş. Dr. Bektaş has an impressive background in plant biology, microbes, and agriculture, specializing in affordable and distributed systems for detecting nucleic acids in agricultural environments. He has worked extensively with cannabis nurseries and biotech companies as a consultant, staff scientist, and Chief Science Officer. Notably, Dr. Bektaş was one of the first scientists to publicly identify Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) in cannabis populations, a discovery that reshaped the industry's approach to disease management.

What is Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd)?

HLVd is a serious plant disease that infects cannabis, hop plants, and other medicinal plants like stinging nettle. Infected cannabis plants can suffer a significant reduction in cannabinoids and terpenes, drastically lowering both their monetary and medicinal value.

Dr. Kirk and Dr. Bektaş explore the origins of HLVd, how it spreads, what to look for in affected plants, prevention strategies, and how innovative genetics are helping cannabis plants overcome this disease.

🎙️ Key Topics Discussed:

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Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk:

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/

Read Dr. Bektaş recent piece in Cannabis Business Times 

https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/disease/cannabis-plant-disease/news/15686586/hop-latent-viroid-a-guide-to-sampling-testing-and-lab-selection

Contact Dr. Ali Bektaş for further questions at [email protected].

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