Update on the situation of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Italy
In Italy tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO A2 List) was first detected in Sicilia in January 2019 (EPPO RS 2019/013, RS 2019/144). It was also found in Piemonte in May 2019 and eradicated (RS 2019/124 and RS 2019/144).
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.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2020-10, 2021-05, 2021-06).