PIRSA is currently responding to a detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) on the northern Adelaide Plains. With response and surveillance measures underway, PIRSA is working closely with the affected businesses, and quarantine measures have been implemented to contain the outbreak.
What is Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus?
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is an exotic plant disease that affects tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies. It is listed on the National Priority Plant Pest list and is considered a significant threat to Australia’s vegetable industry due to its highly contagious nature.
How to Identify ToBRFV
Symptoms in Infected Plants
Symptoms of ToBRFV can resemble those of other viruses in the same family, making diagnostics essential. Infected tomato plants may show signs such as:
- Mosaic patterns on fruit and leaves
- Yellowing and deformities on leaves
- Yellow patches and brown wrinkled spots on fruit
- Uneven ripening and deformed fruit
The virus is notorious for reducing the yield and marketability of fruit, with tomato crops potentially losing up to 15% of marketable yield. The economic impact of ToBRFV on Australia’s vegetable industry could be substantial, leading to considerable losses due to reduced yield and quality of produce.
To protect your property and produce from ToBRFV, it is crucial to practice safe biosecurity measures and report any suspicious plant, crop, or fruit symptoms immediately.
Advice for Commercial Growers
Producers should:
- Practice good plant hygiene
- Source seed, seedlings, and graft material free of ToBRFV from reliable suppliers
- Test a portion of seed and seedlings for ToBRFV
- Regularly monitor crops for signs of ToBRFV
- Ensure staff and visitors comply with on-farm biosecurity and hygiene practices
- Disinfect tools, propagating material, and equipment with sodium hypochlorite (1% solution of a 12% concentrate of pool chlorine)
- Remove volunteer or wild tomato plants and other hosts that could act as reservoirs for the virus
Advice for Home Gardeners
Home gardeners are advised to:
- Practice good plant hygiene
- Keep an eye out for unusual pests or diseases, including ToBRFV, and report anything suspicious to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline
- Source seed, seedlings, and graft material from reliable suppliers or nurseries
- Know what to do when moving plants and plant products
- Disinfect tools, propagating material, and equipment as recommended
- Remove any volunteer or wild tomato plants and other potential virus hosts in your garden
For more information on establishing good home garden biosecurity and plant hygiene, visit the Urban Plant Health Network.
Advice for Consumers
If purchased produce appears suspicious, especially if deformed or uneven in ripeness, consumers should contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline immediately.
Report Suspected Plant Pests
If you suspect plant diseases, exotic pests, or noxious weeds that could pose a national threat, report them immediately. This can be done anonymously by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline, available 24/7 at 1800 084 881.