Axia Vegetable Seeds says new virus clusters need to be closely monitored, but their presence does not mean that resistance has been overcome
New virus clusters are raising questions in the tomato industry, but available research data shows no evidence that current ToBRFV resistance has been overcome.
That is according to a statement by Axia Vegetable Seeds, which pointed out that while independent monitoring, international virus tracking through platforms including Nextstrain and internal and external laboratory research confirmed that new virus clusters are circulating in tomato production, their presence does not automatically mean that current High Resistance (HR) has been overcome.
Axia reaffirmed that prevention, strong genetics and consistent hygiene remain the foundation for managing ToBRFV.
It outlined how the tomato industry has invested heavily in genetics, research and prevention since ToBRFV emerged, with modern tomato varieties now offering a high level of resistance, significantly increasing crop resilience.
Yet, Axia continued, recently there have been increasing claims that resistance to ToBRFV has been ’overcome’ – a conclusion not supported by the currently available data.
“What we do see is that new virus introductions and high infection pressure are playing an increasingly important role in the challenges growers experience in practice,” said Sjaak van der Ploeg, head of breeding and strategy at Axia Vegetable Seeds.
”And that is exactly where the key issue lies. Based on current insights, genetics do not appear to be the weakest link.
”The main challenge remains the same: keeping the virus out of the greenhouse as much as possible,” van der Ploeg noted.
This is in line with warnings from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), that the spread of infected material remains an important risk for the industry.
Axia said that an effective approach starts with the combination of a strong HR-resistant variety and consistent adherence to hygiene protocols.
“Additional measures that create the impression that an HR-resistant variety requires extra external protection, such as vaccination, are not permitted and are therefore strongly discouraged,” van der Ploeg commented.
Resistance is only one part of variety selection, Axia stated, with a successful crop depending on the overall performance of a variety – from yield and fruit quality to uniformity, taste and reliability throughout the entire growing season.
Axia confirmed that it has been monitoring the development of ToBRFV since 2019 through observations in practice, internationally available data and laboratory research.
Since then, ToBRFV resistance has been widely incorporated into its tomato portfolio, with the knowledge gained used both to monitor the development of the virus and to further improve new varieties.
“Based on current insights, new virus clusters need to be closely monitored, but their presence does not mean that current HR resistance has been overcome,” Axia concluded.
”Successful ToBRFV management starts with a strong resistant variety, combined with measures to reduce infection pressure and maintain consistent hygiene.”
