New outbreaks of tomato brown rugose fruit virus report in Greece
The Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO Alert List) was first detected in Greece in August 2019 in one greenhouse growing tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) on the island of Crete (EPPO RS 2019/210). Official surveys in the region of Chania detected seven additional greenhouses infected by ToBRFV in the municipality of Paleochora (Anidri and Koudoura) where the first outbreak had been detected. These greenhouses either belonged to the same grower or were in the vicinity of another infested greenhouse. It is considered that secondary infestations may be due to mechanical transmission (via the workers). In November 2019, a new outbreak was detected in Crete, in the municipality of Kissamo (also in the region of Chania but on the Northern coast of the Island) in a tomato greenhouse (1500 m2). All plants were destroyed, and the grower started growing cucumber (a non-host plant) instead of tomato. ToBRFV was also detected on the mainland, in the Peloponnese in tomato greenhouses. It was detected in a greenhouse (1000 m2) in the municipality of Kiparissia in November 2019, and in a greenhouse (8000 m2) in the municipality of Gargaliani. Trace back of the source of the infestations is still in progress. Eradication measures are being applied in all cases.
The pest status of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Greece is officially described as: Present, under eradication, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Greece (2020-04).