Following reports of ToBRFV in Hungary earlier this month, the virus has also been confirmed to be found in Bulgaria and Norway. In Italy, the virus keeps on spreading, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization reports.
Bulgaria
The NPPO of Bulgaria recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. The virus was detected in a greenhouse (500 m2) producing tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) in June 2021 in the municipality of Mezdra (province of Vratsa). Symptoms were observed on leaves and fruit. Eradication measures are taken and include the destruction of infected plants. The pest status of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Bulgaria is officially declared as: present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Norway
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority recently reported the first detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO A2 List) in Norway. The virus was detected in young tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) at a small producer in May 2021 in the municipality of Vestfold. Eradication measures are taken and include the destruction of infected plants and disinfection of the structures. A survey on the presence of this virus in nurseries and in tomato fruit production is being conducted.
The situation of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Norway can be described as: present, few occurrences, under eradication.
France
In France, the tomato brown rugose fruit virus was first detected in a greenhouse producing tomato fruits in January 2020. Eradication measures were taken, and this outbreak is now considered eradicated. No other outbreaks of ToBRFV were detected in France in 2020 (NPPO of France, 2021-06). The pest status of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in France is officially declared as: absent, pest eradicated.
Hungary
The NPPO of Hungary recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus on its territory. The virus was detected in two greenhouses (6.2 ha and 5.2 ha) producing tomato fruit in May 2021 in the municipality of Lébény and the municipality of Forráskút, respectively.
Typical mosaic symptoms were observed on the leaves, but no particular symptoms could be seen on the fruits. The source of the outbreaks is under investigation, but it is noted that in Lébény, the tomato plants found to be infected with ToBRFV originated from the Netherlands. Eradication measures according to EU Regulation 2020/1191 are implemented. The crop, including the symptomatic fruits, will be destroyed after harvesting asymptomatic fruits. Asymptomatic fruits have been allowed to be sold exclusively for final consumption.
Italy
In Italy tomato brown rugose fruit virus was first detected in Sicilia in January 2019. It was also found in Piemonte in May 2019 and eradicated.
The virus was detected in more sites in Sicilia: in 2019, the virus had been detected in 5 tomato greenhouses and 2 nurseries in the municipality of Ispica (Ragusa province). In 2020 its presence was confirmed in 11 additional sites including 3 nurseries (8 in Ragusa province and 3 in Siracusa province). In 2021 ToBRFV was also reported from 3 tomato commercial greenhouses in the province of Caltanissetta, and one greenhouse in a new municipality of
Ragusa province (Scicli).
ToBRFV was also in detected on the mainland in the following regions:
– Apulia: in the municipality of Giovinazzo (province of Bari) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants grown in two adjacent greenhouses in May 2021. The pepper plants were asymptomatic.
– Toscana: in the municipality of Monterotondo Marittimo (province of Grosseto) in two greenhouses for tomato fruit production in October 2020.
In all cases, eradication measures are applied.
The pest status of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Italy is officially declared as: present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Source: www.gd.eppo.int.