Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV)

Origin and spread

The first reports on ToBRFV came from Jordan and Israel in 2014. The virus has spread across much of the world, impacting tomato production and distribution globally.

The virus belongs to the group of Tobamoviruses and is closely related to the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV). Despite the close relation, ToBRFV is able to overcome the Tobamo resistances in tomato (Tm2², Tm1). This means that all tomato varieties released before 2022 are susceptible.

In March 2025, according to EPPO, the virus is present in 55 countries, including Australia. For updates on current outbreaks please visit https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/TOBRFV/reporting.

Threat to the industry

Tomatoes infected with ToBRFV are not dangerous to consume, but the virus poses a significant threat to the vegetable industry due to:

Rapid spread
Spreads easily via tools, hands, clothing, and plant contact.

Resilience against eradication
Remains infectious on hands for hours and survives for months in plant debris and soil.

Severe damage
infects up to 100% of a crop, reducing yields by up to 70%.

ToBRFV in Australia

The first confirmed detections of ToBRFV in Australia occurred in South Australia in August 2024, followed by a second outbreak in a Victoria in January 2025. Quarantine measures were implemented to manage the risk of spread.

Significant efforts and sacrifices by the government and growers are being made to contain the virus; affected growers face the dual impact of the virus itself, and biosecurity protocols. For growers, employees and local communities the impact has been severe and devastating.

ToBRFV symptoms

The symptoms of ToBRFV can be similar to those of other Tobamoviruses and of PepMV. Symptoms of ToBRFV can range from mild to severe and depend on the time of infection, environmental conditions and varietal susceptibility.

Fruits - Fruit colouration is affected. ToBRFV causes a pale colour, green stripes or yellow spots on fruits which may develop into brown lesions and necrosis. Fruits become rough and stay unripe. A reduced number of fruits are produced. Fruit deformation can occur from early to late stages.

Calyx - Symptoms include distinct discoloration (browning) of the veins of the calyx in an early stage, or drying out and browning of the end of the calyx tips.

Leaves - Leaves of infected tomato plants can show yellowing of the veins, mosaic patterns and other Tobamovirus-like symptoms with occasional leaf narrowing and lumps.

Weakened plant health can increase the chances of co-infection, where the plant is infected by multiple diseases; altering symptoms and making identification difficult.

Transmission

ToBRFV is transmitted mechanically. This means that any contact with the virus can spread the disease.

Handling activities such as transplanting, pruning, tying, cultivation, spraying and harvesting are ways to transmit the virus. Materials such as clothes, shoes, equipment and tools can also carry and spread the virus.

Additionally, the transmission can take place via insects, such as bumblebees. Just like other Tobamoviruses, ToBRFV is very stable and very infectious. It can survive in water, on surfaces and in the absence of plant material for a long time without losing its virulence.

Minimising the risk of spread

Together with good hygiene, genetic resistance is the most effective, economical, and sustainable approach in the control of viral diseases.

Resistant tomato varieties provide extra protection, but it remains important to minimise the risk of infection. Therefore, it is still important to adhere to strict hygiene measurements in the case of Rugose Defense varieties.

Safeguard your crop with High Resistance to ToBRFV

Get High Resistance (HR) to the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) without compromise on yield and without compromise on quality, with Rijk Zwaan's 'Rugose Defense' range of tomato varieties.

Read about the benefits of Rugose Defense disease resistance.

Clean seeds

Only use tomato seeds from reliable sources that have been tested for ToBRFV:

Highest hygiene standards
Rijk Zwaan always upholds high hygiene standards in all its facilities to prevent the outbreak of diseases.

Testing seed
All Rijk Zwaan tomato and pepper seed batches are tested for ToBRFV by Naktuinbouw-accredited laboratory tests. This includes all trial seeds.

Seeds are only shipped to Australia once the absence of ToBRFV has been confirmed.