Cannabis & Hemp Pathogen Testing
Comprehensive virus and fungal screening with compliance documentation for commercial growers and nurseries
Our Testing Panels
Choose the right level of screening for your operation
Most Comprehensive
Full Virus Panel
Complete screening for all 12 known cannabis viruses.
- Hops Latent Viroid (HpLVd)
- Lettuce Chlorosis Virus (LCV)
- Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV)
- Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)
- +8 more pathogens
- 5-8 working days turnaround
From R1,500 per test
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Viral + Fungal
Essential Panel
Targets the most devastating combination in cannabis: viral and fungal co-infection.
- Manage co-infections better
- Hops Latent Viroid (HpLVd)
- Pythium (High Impact)
- Fusarium (High Impact)
- 5-8 working days turnaround
From R1,195 per test
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Routine Monitoring
Reduced Virus Panel
Targeted screening for the three most prevalent and damaging cannabis viruses.
- Hops Latent Viroid (HpLVd)
- Lettuce Chlorosis Virus (LCV)
- Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV)
- 5-8 working days turnaround
From R995 per test
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Fungal Screening
Full Fungal Panel
Comprehensive screening for the three most damaging fungal pathogens in cannabis.
- Pythium (High Impact)
- Fusarium (High Impact)
- Botrytis (High Impact)
- 5-8 working days turnaround
From R995 per test
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Custom Panels Available
Need testing for additional pathogens or crop-specific viruses? We offer custom assay development for specialised needs.
Why Test Cannabis & Hemp?
Cannabis and hemp crops are vulnerable to a range of viral pathogens that can silently reduce yield, potency, and quality. These viruses spread through vegetative propagation as well as insect vectors — aphids, thrips, and whiteflies among others — and often cause no visible symptoms until significant infection spread has already occurred.
For commercial growers and nurseries, regular virus testing is essential for:
- Maintaining clean mother stock
- Meeting regulatory and compliance requirements
- Preventing crop losses and quality degradation
- Protecting your reputation and customer relationships
Virus Details
Learn more about each virus we screen for in our 12-virus panel
Impact: Reduced vigor and flower mass; 'dudding' symptoms in susceptible cultivars; can reduce cannabinoid content substantially
Transmission: Primarily via infected mother stock/cuttings and contaminated tools; can spread in shared water/propagation systems
Impact: Interveinal chlorosis, brittle leaves, reduced vigour
Transmission: Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci)
Impact: Leaf curling, stunting, vein swelling, plant death in severe cases
Transmission: Beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus)
Impact: Leaf mottling, distortion, reduced vigor
Transmission: Mechanical transmission, contaminated tools
Impact: Mosaic patterns, leaf curl, reduced quality and vigor
Transmission: Mechanical transmission, can be seed-borne in some hosts
Impact: Often asymptomatic alone, may worsen co-infections
Transmission: Seed-borne, vertical transmission
Impact: Severe mosaic, leaf distortion, stunting
Transmission: Aphids, mechanical
Impact: Yellowing, mottling, reduced growth
Transmission: Aphids
Impact: Necrotic streaks, leaf distortion, stem necrosis
Transmission: Transmission is complex and often involves infected pollen + thrips activity
Impact: Ringspot patterns, root decline, stunting
Transmission: Nematodes (Xiphinema), seed
Impact: Ringspot, bud blight, stem necrosis, stunting
Transmission: Nematodes, thrips (in some hosts), seed
Impact: Mosaic, leaf deformation, reduced vigour
Transmission: Nematodes (Xiphinema)
Fungal Pathogen Details
Learn more about each fungal pathogen we screen for in our 3-panel fungal screening
High impact
Pythium
Root rot pathogen that thrives in wet conditions, causing damping-off in seedlings and root decay in mature plants.
High impact
Fusarium
Causes wilt disease by blocking vascular tissue, leading to yellowing, wilting, and plant death.
High impact
Botrytis
Grey mould that attacks flowers and dense buds, especially in humid environments. Major post-harvest threat.
Testing Process & Turnaround
1
Order & Collect
Order your testing kit online. Follow our sample collection guide.
2
Ship to Lab
Ship samples to our facility. We extract RNA/DNA and run qPCR analysis on our advanced platforms.
3
Results Delivered
Receive detailed reports in 5-8 working days with interpretation support and next-step recommendations.
Standard Turnaround
5-8 Working Days
For cannabis and hemp samples
Sample Submission Form
Download our collection guide with step-by-step instructions and submission table
Download PDF
Professional Quality Assurance
Our testing protocols meet the highest industry standards for cannabis and hemp production. We understand the critical importance of maintaining clean stock programs and preventing contamination in commercial facilities.
Ongoing Monitoring Programs
Regular testing schedules for mother stock and propagation areas
Certification Documentation
Complete test reports for licensing and compliance requirements
Expert Consultation
Post-diagnostic support and sanitation protocols included
First-Time Client Support
Complimentary video call to guide you through sample collection and the testing process
Compliance & Certification Support
Nexus Diagnostics provides testing documentation that meets regulatory requirements for:
- Virus-free certification (international and domestic)
- Nursery licensing and clean stock programs
- Quality assurance for commercial operations
- Industry standards alignment
Our reports include detailed pathogen detection results, methodology descriptions, and accreditation information suitable for regulatory submissions. Learn more about our compliance and certification services.
Ready to Protect Your Crops?
Order your testing kit today and get results you can trust