New finding of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Germany
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.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2020-09).
JKI. Finding on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Germany (Brandenburg) https://pflanzengesundheit.julius-kuehn.de/index.php?menuid=86&downloadid=2851&reporeid=223