The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) is causing more and more discontent among professional tomato growers. This virus spreads mechanically through people and tools, but also through bumblebees, birds and infected crates or cases. Combating ToBRFV is not possible at the moment, therefore it is very important to reduce the risk of infection with the virus and to prevent the spread of the virus.

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF TOBRFV

Since the virus spreads mechanically, a strict hygiene protocol is of great importance. In addition, it is important to raise staff awareness so that the agreed protective measures are also followed up.

MEASURES BEFORE ENTERING THE GREENHOUSE:

·       Clean hands with disinfectant soap and then disinfect the dry hands again.

·       Install a hygiene station to disinfect hands and footwear.

·       Place disinfection mats where personnel and transport have to pass before entering the greenhouse.

·       Before re-entering the greenhouse, after a break, visiting the sanitary facilities, smoking, etc., disinfect and clean the hands again.

·       Let visitors wear gloves, overlays and hairnets everywhere.

·       Provide clean work clothing for staff.

MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN IN THE GREENHOUSE:

·       Disinfect the used knives and scissors after each path.

·       Disinfect hands while working.

·       Disinfect trolleys, spray trolleys and all moving equipment that comes into contact with the crop.

·       Clean and disinfect the entire greenhouse during the crop rotation. Tobamoviruses, including the ToBRFV virus, can survive for a long time, both on organic and non-organic material. See the protocol disinfection for tomato for an overview of all the measures you should take during the crop rotation.

Click here to check the entire Royal Brinkman’s Knowledge Center article on recognizing, preventing outbreak and spread of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus.

Photo credit: Aviv Dombrovsky/EPPO