Enhanced ToBRFV Resistant Portfolio Includes HR
Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is dedicated to promoting grower success through continued innovation in tomato, specifically to help address ToBRFV. This research has culminated in a broadened portfolio inclusive of high resistance1 (HR) varieties in mini cluster and baby plum types.
“During trial evaluations, our team discovered these varieties showcase plant and fruit symptoms reductions3 comparable to industry HR benchmarks during third-party2 adult plant resistance trials,” said Norm Sissons, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds Solanaceae Crops Strategy Head.
Syngenta is partnering with growers in the fight against this damaging virus.
“We understand the importance of developing these varieties and bringing innovations with real value to the market every year,” said Jesus Abad, Head of Germplasm Development Solanaceae. “We’re committed to developing the solutions for the challenges growers face.”
ToBRFV can infect up to 100 percent of a crop, and left unchecked, yield losses can be as high as 25 to 70 percent, according to the data from UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (2024). For growers, this translates to significant economic losses and threatens their livelihoods.
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Built-In Disease Resistance
Managing the disease is challenging due to its high transmissibility, persistence, and lack of specific over-the-top treatments. The virus can spread through simple contact, curtailing the effectiveness of conventional control measures. Even stringent hygiene protocols and careful crop management alone may not be enough to prevent infection. For additional protection, Syngenta has resistant varieties on the market for greenhouse production around the world, with more in the pipeline.
"We have incorporated ToBRFV resistance into many of our tomato seeds and continue to breed resistance into new varieties,” Abad explained. “The seeds are developed using conventional breeding methods, but the latest technological innovations have reduced the time required for the development of new virus-resistant varieties from a decade to just two years. This allowed Syngenta to respond faster to the threat posed by ToBRFV.”
Rootstock with IR ToBRFV Resistance
Grafting disease-and-stress-tolerant roots with Syngenta Vegetable Seeds innovative new varieties allow growers to unlock a full range of benefits, including vigor, uniformity, and disease resistance. For example, combining resistant scions with resistant rootstock from Syngenta with ToBRFV resistance, growers have protection from root to fruit.
Protect Taste and Fruit Quality
Disease resistance alone isn’t enough. Consumers have high expectations when it comes to flavor, and Syngenta is dedicated to protecting the flavor profiles consumers have come to know and love.
“As we continue to add new varieties to our lineup, we’re making sure they still taste great,” Sissons said. “Consumers love the taste of our tomatoes and choose them when they make their food purchases, so with the introductions of new resistant varieties we want to make sure that growers can continue to deliver what consumers expect.”
Syngenta delivers ToBRFV resistance without compromising other key disease resistances or the taste shoppers love.
Syngenta is diligent in developing the right ToBRFV resistance that also contains a complete package of resistances and adaptability to suit grower needs – without sacrificing the flavor consumers expect.
“At the end of the day, we need to offer growers good commercial yield with good fruit quality,” Sissons said. “For this reason, we are testing a lot of varieties to find the right fit.”
Ongoing Research
We will continue studying and seeking to discover new mechanisms of resistance against ToBRFV with the evolving needs of growers and consumers in mind. Whether it’s tomato leaf curl, or ToBRFV, you need a disease package that gives you resistance to all key disease threats – not just the newest one.
The ongoing research aims to expand resistance options and provide some that use multiple resistance traits. Our researchers are diligent in developing the right ToBRFV resistance that also contains a complete package of resistances and adaptability to suit grower needs – without sacrificing the flavor consumers expect.
Keep ToBRFV Out of Greenhouses
“It will not be news, but hygiene is crucial to keep infections at bay,” said Arthur van Marrewijk, Agronomist Global AGH - Solanaceae. “It is up to the grower to regularly disinfect machines, materials and clothing and to minimize the number of human-plant contacts. This means not too many different people in the greenhouse, good personal hygiene, and trying to limit the number of crop operations. Good zoning in the greenhouse can also contribute.”
He also advises keeping irrigation water clean and virus-free because ultimately, the best way to avoid yield loss is to prevent the virus from entering facilities altogether – no matter if you use resistant varieties or not.
Be The First To Know About ToBRFV Updates From Syngenta
Frequently Asked Questions about ToBRFV
1 High Resistance, HR, is defined by the International Seed Federation as: The ability of a plant variety to restrict the growth and/or development of the specified pest, and/or the symptoms and/or damage it causes, to a high degree.
HR does not mean immune to the virus, and damage can still occur in severe infestation, under certain management techniques, when greenhouse hygiene is not maintained, or with new strains of the virus. Good greenhouse hygiene and mindful crop management are still needed. HR does not replace hygiene measures.
2 Testing for HR designation was performed in third-party greenhouses to evaluate impact on leaves and fruit multiple times throughout the season. Designations were assigned compared to susceptible varieties and HR industry benchmarks.
3 HR varieties and seed might be limited in your market, check with your local Syngenta Vegetable Seeds representatives to understand your options and which provides the best genetic fit.
Intermediate Resistance, IR, is defined by the International Seed Federation as: The ability of a plant variety to restrict the growth and/or development of the specified pest, and/or the symptoms and/or damage it causes, to a moderate degree.
ToBRFV is a viral disease that has been affecting tomato growers worldwide for the past decade, causing significant crop damage and yield losses.