Cannabis Pathogen Detection: On-Site Testing vs. Off-Site Sample Testing

Testing your cannabis crop is essential for maximizing your yields and ensuring healthy harvests. Knowing what pathogens may be harming your plants is crucial, which means the testing methods are vital as well. There are two primary ways to detect pathogens in cannabis crops: on-site and in-lab (off-site).

Deciding which one is right for you depends on certain factors, and understanding both can help you ensure high-quality harvests. Not sure what you are looking for? Here’s a guide to help you choose the right solution.

On-Site Cannabis Testing

On-site testing uses diagnostic tools to detect Hop Latent Viroid without sending samples to a lab. This method relies on specialized equipment to perform the test correctly and ensure accurate results.

Advantages

• Real-time results: Cultivators are able to quickly implement necessary actions to prevent disease from spreading if any pathogens are detected.

• Easy: No need for complicated training. Any cultivation worker can complete the test by simply following the instructions. 

• Eliminates delays: No need to send samples off-site and wait for the results.

• Cost-effective for high-volume: For larger crops or ones that require more frequent testing, on-site cannabis testing is more economical.

• Customizable: Testing protocols can be tailored to a facility's individual cultivation practices

Disadvantages

• Large scale: More suitable for larger cultivators managing mother stock that are looking for a high throughput, low cost solution with a fast turnaround. Less suitable for small operations that need to test less frequently.
  
  
  

Off-Site Cannabis Testing

Off-site pathogen testing requires sending samples to a third party. Under controlled conditions, trained technicians run diagnostics to detect pathogens and send the results back to the cultivators. This enables cultivators to test for far more pathogens. 

Advantages

• Lower upfront costs: Cannabis producers don't have to invest in their own equipment or training to run pathogen tests on their plants. Using a third-party lab is more feasible for smaller companies that don't need to test as frequently.

• Broader results: Off-site testing gives cultivators the ability to test for many more types of pathogens in order to get a full picture of what’s going on.

Disadvantages

• Small scale: More suitable for smaller companies who do less frequent testing or for growers facing a sudden, unexpected fungal pathogen issue. Not as suitable for larger companies which require frequent testing. 

Who Should Choose On-Site vs. Off-Site Cannabis Testing?

Choosing between on-site and off-site testing comes down to your operation’s size, testing frequency, and urgency of results.

On-site testing is a smart investment for medium to large growers who need fast turnaround times and conduct routine testing. If you're managing a high-volume operation, real-time results let you act immediately and avoid large-scale losses. On-site testing is also ideal if you’re fine-tuning your cultivation protocols or running multiple rounds of breeding and need flexible, frequent data points.

Off-site testing works well for smaller operations or those with occasional testing needs. If your harvest cycles are less frequent, or you simply don’t have the staff or space to run in-house diagnostics, outsourcing to a lab can save time and reduce overhead. It also gives you access to more comprehensive pathogen panels if you suspect issues beyond common threats like Hop Latent Viroid.

Both approaches have their place. The key is finding the right fit for your workflow, budget, and risk tolerance. Not sure what’s right for you? TUMI Genomics can help you assess your needs and build a testing strategy that protects your crop—and your bottom line.

Start Clean, Stay Clean with TUMI

Early detection of pathogens in your cannabis crop is key to preventing large-scale and expensive problems for your harvest and customers. TUMI Genomics was founded to bring deep scientific knowledge to bear on pathogenic problems in the cannabis space.

We use rigorous diagnostic testing and innovative on-site equipment to give growers control over their crops. If you’ve had problems keeping your cannabis crop healthy, TUMI’s detection solutions are here to help. Contact us today!