About this Research Topic
Since the legalization of Cannabis sativa in Canada and many of the US states, production of this crop both indoors and outdoors has increased substantially. Like all agricultural crops, cannabis is susceptible to a broad spectrum of insect pests and diseases and their management is critical. Unfortunately, little is known about insect pests and diseases associated with drug-type cannabis. Research in several US states has focused on hemp (including CBD-type hemp) and the development of the first framework for IPM of hemp. This is not the case for drug-type cannabis. Due to differences in production methods, plant morphology, and secondary metabolites, the different crop systems likely require different management strategies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to publish articles that will present new insights and perspectives on the identification and management of insect pests and plant diseases in cannabis. There is a substantial amount of research being conducted on non-medical (industrial) hemp in the US, a plant closely related to cannabis, that provides foundational information on insect pests and plant diseases associated with this crop. This information provides valuable insight into the problems we may face in cannabis and also clarifies the knowledge gaps we need to focus on in future research. By highlighting existing research on hemp and early research on drug-type cannabis, this Research Topic will help guide further research on this important new crop.
Reviews, original research, methods and perspectives, and opinion articles on cannabis and hemp will all be welcome for submission. Specific topics may include, but are not limited to:
• Surveys of insect pests and diseases associated with Cannabis sativa and hemp
• Cannabis aphid/hemp russet mite biology
• Biological control of insect pests, impact of secondary cannabis plant metabolites or extracts on insects – pests and natural enemies and plant pathogens; impact of cannabis/hemp plant morphology on natural enemies
• Effects of insect pests and plant diseases on secondary metabolites (cannabinoid/terpene potency)
• Effects of sprays on potency
• Differences in insect pest and diseases for cannabis produced indoors and outdoors
• Action thresholds for insect pests and diseases
• Options for plant disease management in cannabis
• Status of viruses as a problem for cannabis production
• Susceptible or resistant cultivars – cultivar preferences for insect pests?
• Pesticide efficacy trials on cannabis/hemp
• Disease prediction models for cannabis
The goal of this Research Topic is to publish articles that will present new insights and perspectives on the identification and management of insect pests and plant diseases in cannabis. There is a substantial amount of research being conducted on non-medical (industrial) hemp in the US, a plant closely related to cannabis, that provides foundational information on insect pests and plant diseases associated with this crop. This information provides valuable insight into the problems we may face in cannabis and also clarifies the knowledge gaps we need to focus on in future research. By highlighting existing research on hemp and early research on drug-type cannabis, this Research Topic will help guide further research on this important new crop.
Reviews, original research, methods and perspectives, and opinion articles on cannabis and hemp will all be welcome for submission. Specific topics may include, but are not limited to:
• Surveys of insect pests and diseases associated with Cannabis sativa and hemp
• Cannabis aphid/hemp russet mite biology
• Biological control of insect pests, impact of secondary cannabis plant metabolites or extracts on insects – pests and natural enemies and plant pathogens; impact of cannabis/hemp plant morphology on natural enemies
• Effects of insect pests and plant diseases on secondary metabolites (cannabinoid/terpene potency)
• Effects of sprays on potency
• Differences in insect pest and diseases for cannabis produced indoors and outdoors
• Action thresholds for insect pests and diseases
• Options for plant disease management in cannabis
• Status of viruses as a problem for cannabis production
• Susceptible or resistant cultivars – cultivar preferences for insect pests?
• Pesticide efficacy trials on cannabis/hemp
• Disease prediction models for cannabis
Keywords: Cannabis sativa, IPM, hemp, insect pests, plant diseases
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
