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.
Update September 4, 2024
There are now 3 businesses on the Northern Adelaide Plains confirmed as infected with ToBRFV. Through contact tracing, 18 businesses have had plant samples collected for testing, encompassing 84 greenhouses. The response has now collected over 2,000 plant samples from these business premises. In addition, 3 businesses are being investigated in case of infected seeds.
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.
How can you reduce the risk of ToBRFV?
It is important to reduce the risk of spreading diseases and pests between greenhouses, and between properties.
Visit the PIRSA website for the latest advice for growers, which can also be downloaded:
Visit the AusVeg website for Clean Your Farm and Greenhouse Toolkit resources in English and Vietnamese.
Visit the Farm Biosecurity website to build your own biosecurity toolkit.
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.
For more details and updates, visit the PIRSA website.
Where to find information and support
Industry Liaison Officer
The nominated Industry Liaison Officer for the ToBRFV response is Jordan Brooke-Barnett, who can be contacted on 0404 772 308.
FaB mentor
PIRSA’s Family and Business (FaB) mentor service is available free of charge to provide support to those impacted by this event. FaB mentors are independent, confidential, and experienced in dealing with difficult situations. For more details and updates, visit the PIRSA website.
