First report of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Portugal
The NPPO of Portugal 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 two nurseries situated in the Algarve region, one in the county of Tavira and one in the county of Faro, during an official survey in August 2021. The virus was detected in seeds of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) originating from China (in the case of Tavira) and Israel (in the case of Faro). Some of the seed has been used to produce plantlets. In both cases, eradication measures are being applied and include the testing of other host plants in the nursery, as well as the disinfection of the greenhouse and associated equipment. The seed that had not been used has been destroyed, as well as the plants produced from the infested lots still present in the nurseries. Trace-forward studies are conducted to retrieve the plants that had already been sold to other operators.
The pest status of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Portugal is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2021-09).