Metagenomic survey of hemp fields in the western United States

Beet curly top virus (BCTV) is a highly damaging viral pathogen of hemp in the western U.S. It is known for its genetic diversity and high recombination rate, which can lead to the emergence of novel variants/strains. This study surveyed BCTV strains from hemp fields in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, and New Mexico. The genomic data collected were used to analyze the evolutionary relationships, genetic diversity, and recombination events of hemp-derived BCTV strains, providing a comprehensive view of the virus population structure in the region.