Whole genome sequencing of over 1000 cannabis cultivars and cannabis microbiome within

Using Illumina sequencing, we have whole genome sequenced over 1000 Cannabis cultivars and mined that data for microbial prevalence across various cannabis tissue types. Of interest, we find 10 different Fusarium species present which may an impact on Fusarium screening for grows concerned about molecular screening for this organism. 
We also observe Aspergillus tamarii being more prevalent than the 4 pathogenic Aspergillus species currently screened for in most states using Aspergillus testing. qPCR test that include this species will have nearly double the false positive rate than test that exclude this organism. 
Finally, we will showcase rapid TAT whole genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore that can sequence and assembly a bacterial genome from a colony in 24 hours. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how whole genome sequencing can be used to characterize genetic diversity among cannabis cultivars and identify microbial prevalence across different tissue types.

2. Identify key microbial species detected in cannabis samples, including multiple Fusarium species and Aspergillus tamarii, and their implications for current molecular screening approaches.

3. Explain how rapid sequencing technologies enable fast bacterial genome sequencing and assembly to support microbial identification and quality control workflows.