In Germany, tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO Alert List) was found for the first time in Nordrhein-Westfalen in July 2018 in seven greenhouses producing tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) and eradicated in July 2019 (EPPO RS 2019/012, 2019/145).
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of a new finding of ToBRFV in another region, Brandenburg. The virus was detected in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, variety San Marzano) grown in a foil tunnel on an organic farm. The tomato plants did not show typical leaf symptoms, but fruits were unevenly coloured with streaky red coloration and showed rugose-like symptoms. Samples of directly adjacent tomato varieties and aubergines were tested negative. Trace-back studies showed that the infested tomato variety had been grown from seed originating in another EU Member State. Further testing is planned on remaining seed of the seed lot used for the infected crop. Official eradication measures are being taken and include the destruction by incineration of the infected plant material and the compost that is possibly infected, the prohibition of movement of fruit and plant material, hygiene measures, disinfection of transport boxes.
The pest status of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Germany is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Eradication of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Poland
In Poland, tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO Alert List) was found for the first time in March 2020 in a greenhouse producing tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) (EPPO RS 2020/122). The infected seedlings used in this greenhouse were of the variety Tomimaru Muchoo grafted on the variety Maxifort. Official investigations showed that these seedlings had been grow from seed originating in Peru* and imported via the Netherlands. The Polish NPPO investigated all (119) companies where both seed varieties had been purchased and tested 101 samples. All tested negative for ToBRFV. The NPPO of the Netherlands tested additional seed lots in the Dutch company that had originally imported the seed from Peru and the variety Maxifort tested positive. It is concluded that the origin of the infection in Poland is seed from Peru* of the variety Maxifort.
Official measures were applied in the infected greenhouse as well as in greenhouses where tomatoes of the same variety were planted. They included surveillance for symptoms, strict hygiene during growing, harvesting and fruit packaging. No further symptoms were observed on plants and fruits. At the end of the season, tomato plants will be destroyed under the supervision of the NPPO and greenhouses disinfected. The infected seed lot was also withdrawn from the market to be destroyed. Surveillance will continue in these greenhouses in the next growing season.
The pest status of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Poland is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
* Note of the Secretariat: ToBRFV is not officially reported as present in Peru but the Netherlands has reported an interception on tomato seed (EPPO RS 2020/068).
For more information:
www.eppo.int