First report of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Argentina
In Argentina, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants showing symptoms resembling those of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO A2 List) were observed in December 2022, in greenhouses belonging to three different growers in Santa Lucía and Lavalle (Corrientes). Affected plants showed mosaic and leaf mottling, narrowing (needle-like leaves), and chlorosis in young leaves. Fruits exhibited necrotic lesions and blotchy ripening. In the affected greenhouses, more than 50% of the plants showed symptoms. Leaf samples were collected from the three affected premises and laboratory tests (serological, molecular, and pathogenicity tests) confirmed the presence of ToBRFV. Phytosanitary measures were taken in the infected glasshouses, including tool disinfection, roguing of symptomatic plants and delimitation of quarantine areas. It is noted that as Santa Lucía and Lavalle are the most important areas of tomato production in Corrientes, surveys for ToBRFV will be conducted in these areas during the next growing season.
The situation of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Argentina can be described as: Present, not widely distributed.
Sources
Obregón VG, Ibañez JM, Lattar TE, Juszczak S, Groth-Helms D (2023) First report of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in tomato in Argentina. New Disease Reports 48, e12203. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12203