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Fighting ToBRFV in Greenhouse Tomatoes: Practical Solutions for North American Growers

Navigating the ToBRFV Challenge in North American Greenhouses

Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) has emerged as one of the biggest threats to greenhouse tomato production in North America. Its rapid spread, subtle symptoms, and resilience have forced growers, researchers, and industry partners to rethink biosecurity, breeding, and market strategies.

In this new spring edition, we feature expert insights from Michel Chaccour, founder and president of HORTINOVA Inc., who shares practical guidance and the latest advances in the fight against ToBRFV.

What We Are Covering Today

Michel Chaccour is the founder and president of HORTINOVA Inc., a Canadian seed distribution company specializing in high-performance vegetable varieties for greenhouse and open-field production. With a background in international agri-business and a focus on variety development, Michel works closely with breeders and growers to bring resilient, market-ready genetics to the North American market.

The ToBRFV Threat: Impact and Detection Challenges

ToBRFV poses unique challenges for North American greenhouse growers, primarily due to its elusive symptoms and robust transmission pathways. Early detection is difficult because infected plants may show only faint signs—such as mosaic patterns, leaf crinkling, or yellowing—or remain symptomless for extended periods. This latency enables the virus to spread widely before it is even noticed, especially since it can be transmitted through hands, clothing, tools, and even pollinators like bumblebees.

The virus’s stability compounds the problem: ToBRFV can persist on surfaces and plant debris for weeks or even months, making eradication a rigorous and expensive process. In many cases, entire crops must be removed, disrupting production and causing significant financial losses. Since 2019, outbreaks in regions like southwestern Ontario have led to yield reductions of 30–70%, with some growers facing near-total crop loss. These outbreaks have also triggered trade restrictions and quarantine measures, further impacting the industry. The cumulative cost to the North American tomato sector could reach hundreds of millions of dollars, factoring in lost yields, labor disruptions, and supply chain effects.

The urgency for improved diagnostic tools, robust biosecurity, and—most critically—resistant tomato varieties has never been greater.

ToBRFV infection / Photo source: Hortinova Inc,

Biosecurity and Sanitation: Building a Layered Defense

Given ToBRFV’s high transmissibility through seeds, tools, and human contact, greenhouse operations must adopt comprehensive, layered biosecurity protocols. According to Michel Chaccour, the following strategies are essential for effective containment and prevention:

  • Start with Clean Seed: Only use certified virus-free seeds from trusted sources. GSPP-certified seed ensures compliance with strict sanitation and diagnostic standards, minimizing the risk of seed-borne transmission.

  • Worker Hygiene and Training: Mandate thorough handwashing and disinfection before entering greenhouse zones. Provide disposable gloves and clean uniforms, and ensure regular changes. Training and accessible facilities help embed these practices into daily routines.

  • Tool and Surface Disinfection: ToBRFV is resistant to mild cleaners. Use proven agents such as 10% bleach or 0.5–2% Virocid. Disinfect tools, carts, tables, and entryways frequently. Footbaths at entrances are essential to prevent virus introduction.

  • Organize Workflow: Limit unnecessary plant contact and move from youngest to oldest plants to avoid spreading the virus from contaminated to healthy areas. Restrict external visitors and enforce strict sanitation for all personnel and guests.

  • Symptom Monitoring and Rapid Response: Train staff to recognize early signs—mosaic patterns, fern-like leaves, fruit deformation—and report anomalies. Regular scouting and immediate diagnostic testing are crucial. Infected plants should be carefully removed, bagged on-site, and the area sanitized.

  • Emerging Technologies: UV-C disinfection of drain water is showing promise. Doses around 250 mJ/cm² can inactivate ToBRFV in recirculating systems, offering an additional layer of protection. While not yet standard, these technologies are becoming more accessible for commercial use.

By integrating these protocols into standard operating procedures—“clean in, clean out”—growers can reduce the risk of ToBRFV without significantly disrupting workflow or efficiency.

Genetics and Resistance: The Path Forward

With limited genetically resistant tomato varieties currently available, breeding for ToBRFV resistance has become a top priority worldwide. We are currently witnessing a major shift in the industry, particularly in the North American high-tech greenhouse segment, where many established cultivars have suddenly become obsolete. The challenge lies in combining robust disease resistance with high fruit quality—ensuring that new varieties not only withstand the virus but also meet consumer expectations for taste, texture, and appearance.

HORTINOVA is at the forefront of this effort. The company identifies and promotes cultivars from leading European breeding programs, focusing on lines that preserve the sensory richness of Mediterranean tomatoes while integrating traits for enhanced disease resistance, yield, and stress tolerance. HORTINOVA is also participating in a collaborative research project led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which studies the interaction between ToBRFV and a wide range of commercial tomato lines, including several supplied by HORTINOVA.

Encouraging results are emerging across multiple segments—cherry and grape on-the-vine, beef, roma, and even specialty heirloom types. While research is ongoing and many promising hybrids are still in the pipeline, these early successes suggest that strong commercial candidates are within reach. With continued testing and refinement, more resilient and market-ready varieties are expected to become available over the next few seasons.

Industry Collaboration and Regulatory Vigilance

Although ToBRFV is not currently classified as a regulated pest under Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) directives, the threat it poses has prompted proactive measures within the industry. HORTINOVA sources seed exclusively from suppliers with rigorous internal biosecurity standards, including GSPP certification, and maintains traceability records for all shipments. When necessary, independent laboratory testing is arranged to confirm virus-free status before distributing seed to clients.

The company also maintains close communication with the CFIA and relevant industry associations to stay aligned with evolving phytosanitary guidance. These efforts ensure that HORTINOVA’s products support both domestic food safety and international trade confidence, even in the absence of formal regulation.


Innovation and the Future: Genetics as the Cornerstone

Looking ahead, HORTINOVA’s strategy centers on genetics as the most impactful and sustainable solution to ToBRFV. The company works closely with top-tier international breeders to select tomato varieties that demonstrate reliable resistance and strong agronomic performance across diverse environments. Emphasis is placed on hybrids supported by robust breeder data, ensuring consistency and transparency.

Local trials with Canadian growers are a key component of HORTINOVA’s variety evaluation process, testing new materials under real-world conditions. Several early-stage hybrids, particularly in grape-on-the-vine and roma segments, are showing strong potential. By accelerating the introduction of next-generation genetics, HORTINOVA aims to serve as a catalyst—linking innovative breeding programs with forward-thinking North American growers. The ultimate goal is to ensure that only the most promising, resilient tomato varieties reach the market, supporting production continuity and maintaining consumer trust, even in the face of ToBRFV.

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Conclusion

The battle against ToBRFV is reshaping the North American greenhouse tomato industry. Early detection, rigorous biosecurity, and the rapid development of resistant varieties are now essential pillars of sustainable production. Through proactive industry leadership, collaborative research, and a steadfast focus on genetics, companies like HORTINOVA are helping growers navigate this evolving landscape.

New tools and resilient varieties may help restore stability, support market continuity, and ensure consistent tomato quality for consumers.

Complementary sources:

Novel Approaches for the Management of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) – Update to Industry (June 2024):
https://fvgc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Novel-Approaches-for-the-Management-of-ToBRFV-Update-to-Industry-June-2024-EN.pdf

Profiling of small RNAs derived from tomato brown rugose fruit virus in infected tomato plants:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1504861/full

Single amino acid change in tomato brown rugose fruit virus breaks resistance in tomato:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1382862/full

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus: A newly identified virus isolated from tomatoes:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1504861/full