Project
Fytosanitair: ToBRFV - zaadtoetsing
Many virus diseases are transmitted through seed. Reliable testing is necessary to prevent the unnoticed spread of quarantine viruses such as tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in particular. Seed coating is widely used, but it is not always well known to what extent this can affect reliable virus detection.
Reliable testing of seeds is necessary to prevent the unnoticed spread of diseases such as viruses. In current practice, many seeds are coated or pelleted and it is not always well known to what extent this can affect reliable detection of pathogens.
Since 2018, tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has been spreading very quickly in tomato crops worldwide. Since the end of 2019 it has been placed on an EU list of quarantine organism. As of August 15, 2020, the NVWA has announced emergency measures to prevent new introductions and further spread of the virus. This includes mandatory testing of seed lots of tomato and Capsicum, testing of old seed lots and the use of harmonized testing methods.
From 1 October, a so-called PCR test is mandatory for seed testing. However, this test has only been validated on untreated seed. This project investigates the possible influence of seed coating and seed pelleting on the detectability of ToBRFV virus on seed lots of tomato and pepper.