Tomato brown rugose fruit virus

Symptoms

The virus causes brown or yellow spots to appear on host leaves, fruit and stems. Fruit infected with ToBRFV can be deformed or ripen irregularly.

Tomato

Leaves have:

• discolouration
• mosaic and mottling patterns
• reduced size.

Fruit have:

• yellowing or brown areas
• wrinkled (rugose) skin.

Stems can be discoloured.

Capsicum (and capsicum species of chillis)

Leaves have:

• deformation
• yellowing
• mosaic patterns.

Fruit have:

• deformation
• areas of yellow, brown or green stripes or blotches.

Stems can be discoloured.

Symptoms on fruit could be confused with tospoviruses, tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and capsicum chlorosis virus.

Uneven tomato fruit ripening could be a symptom of whitefly feeding.

ToBRFV was first reported in 2014 on tomatoes in Israel. It has since been reported in Europe, the Middle East, China, Mexico and the USA (California).

The international distribution of ToBRFV has been attributed to the global movement of seed.

ToBRFV was detected in South Australia in August 2024. This was the first detection of ToBRFV in Australia.

Affects tomato, capsicum and chilli. Solanaceous weeds such as nightshades can also become infected. Eggplant and potato are not considered to be ToBRFV hosts.

The life cycle of ToBRFV is dependent on the living plant host. Following infection, the virus hijacks the cells of the host plant and uses them to replicate.

Plants infected with ToBRFV cannot be cured. There is no effective treatment to remove the disease from seeds or plant material.

ToBRFV could significantly impact Australia's vegetable industry. It could lead to considerable economic losses due to reduced yield and quality of produce.

Home gardeners may also be affected because tomato, capsicum and chilli are common backyard plants.

Human health is not affected by infected plants or fruit.

ToBRFV is easily spread by the movement of:

• fruit
• plants (including plant debris)
• seeds
• contaminated surfaces, farm tools, clothing or equipment.

The virus can also spread through plant-to-plant contact and irrigation water.

The virus can survive for months in:

• seeds
• plant debris
• contaminated soil.

ToBRFV can remain infectious on contaminated surfaces for long periods of time.

Insects could spread the virus if it established in Australia.

Do not touch or move infected plant material – this could spread the disease further.

You should practice safe biosecurity measures and report anything suspicious in your plants, crops or fruit immediately.

You should also:

• source clean seed and propagation material from reputable suppliers
• ensure you use thorough hygiene practices such as disinfecting tools, propagating equipment and vehicles
• ensure staff and visitors are trained and follow your biosecurity requirements
• monitor your crops regularly, isolate suspect plants and report anything suspicious
• remove wild tomato plants and other weeds such as nightshade that could act as reservoirs for the virus.

If you see symptoms that resemble ToBRFV infection, you must report it online or call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

Protect your farm from plant pests and diseases:

• Protect your farm from emergency plant pests.
• Visit the farm biosecurity website.

Call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 if you find a plant you suspect may have ToBRFV to seek advice on control options.

ToBRFV is a prohibited matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

If you suspect a plant has ToBRFV, you must immediately report it online or contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

If you think you have found ToBRFV, you must take all reasonable and practical steps under your control to minimise any associated risks or spread of the disease. This is called your general biosecurity obligation (GBO).