Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has now been detected at 3 businesses on the Northern Adelaide Plains.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is continuing to respond to tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) – an exotic plant disease that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chilies – after another detection was found in a commercial business, which is linked through the movement of plant material to known infected sites on the Northern Adelaide Plains.
As of 3 September 2024, more than 2,000 plant samples have been taken for testing from 18 businesses, encompassing 84 greenhouses. Only 3 business have been confirmed as infected with the virus. Response activities, including surveillance and tracing measures, have been underway since the first detection was confirmed on 5 August, and PIRSA continues to work closely with affected businesses.
Three businesses are also being followed up in case of infected seeds, with PIRSA undertaking extensive tracing of seed lots to try and identify the source of infection, which remains unknown at this stage. Tracing has shown some other states may have also received potentially infected seed, and these jurisdictions have been informed and are conducting follow up testing.
Listed as a National Priority Plant Pest, ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus and regarded as a considerable threat to Australia's $5.8 billion vegetable industry due to reduced yield and quality of produce.
ToBRFV has no known effects on human health and no shortages of tomatoes or price rises are expected at this time as a result of these detections.
Infected plants show symptoms such as mosaic patterns, yellowing and deformities on leaves, while fruits develop brown wrinkled spots, deformations and uneven ripening, reducing their yield and marketability. Different plant varieties can present different symptoms.
South Australian Chief Plant Health Officer, Nick Secomb, encouraged growers to reduce the risk of spreading pests and diseases by cleaning shoes, hands, and equipment regularly, and to report signs of the disease.
"Every grower can help, by knowing what to do on their property to reduce the risk of spreading pests and diseases. Visit the PIRSA website for information," he said.
"Look out for signs of ToBRFV and report anything unusual to the 24/7 Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881."
For more information, what you can do to reduce the risk, and how to identify the disease, see Tomato rugose fruit virus.
If growers are concerned about the impact of the ToBRFV outbreak on you or your business, or have other business queries, contact the nominated Industry Liaison Officer for the response, Jordan Brooke-Barnett on 0404 772 308.
In addition, PIRSA's Family and Business (FaB) mentor service is available free of charge to provide support to those impacted by this event. FaB mentors in your area can be contacted directly on the Recovery Hotline 1800 931 314 or by emailing PIRSA.Recovery@sa.gov.au.
