Capsicum species, including hot peppers, provide the components ToBRFV needs to propagate. Currently, it's unclear if any pepper varieties are resistant to the virus. Although resistant varieties are unaffected, research indicates that Tobamovirus resistance in a few non-commercial pepper varieties can be overcome under certain conditions. 

Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) presents a variety of symptoms that can easily be mistaken for other viral infections such as Pepino mosaic. Early detection of these signs is critical to preventing widespread damage.

• Mosaic pattern: Appears on the youngest leaves, particularly in the head and shoots of the plant.
• Fruit damage: Dots, yellow spots, or deformation on the fruit. In advanced cases, brown spots and necrotic stripes can form.
• Stem and sepal damage: Stems and sepals may dry out, accompanied by necrotic stripes.
• Leaf narrowing: Leaves may appear narrower than normal.

A major risk is that the symptoms of ToBRFV closely resemble those of Pepino mosaic virus. If left untreated, the virus can spread quickly through the crop, reducing productivity and making the fruit unmarketable.

ToBRFV is known for its ability to survive for extended periods in various environments, making it particularly difficult to control. The virus can persist in water, seeds, soil, tools, and plant debris, maintaining its infectiousness. However, the exact duration of its survival is still not fully understood. Research is ongoing to determine how long the virus can remain viable in these conditions. 

ToBRFV can be detected in seeds using the internationally validated ISHI (International Seed Health Initiative) testing method. Pre-screening can also be done with ELISA, but it's crucial to use the correct antibody to ensure accurate results. These tests can be conducted at various specialized laboratories and research institutes to confirm the presence of the virus.

Because ToBRFV is easily spread mechanically, a strict hygiene plan is of great importance. The general hygiene within the company must be taken into account, so that contamination of the virus is prevented, and the spread by people and materials are limited. Also make sure that everyone who visits the company - both employees and other visitors - are aware of the hygiene measures and ensure strict compliance.

Every company will also have to make a thorough inventory of the incoming flows and the dangers of these flows. Think of several growers who work together with the same crates, for example in producer organizations. In this case, working with special harvest barrels and other barrels in which the product is disposed of is a good option.

There is currently no cure for ToBRFV, and effective control requires the use of disinfectants that meet the standards of crop protection products. Unauthorized products can cause damage or fail to deliver the desired results. In the event of an outbreak, infected plants must be removed and destroyed immediately.

Prevention is critical—aim for 100% prevention to avoid the virus altogether. However, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading within your crop.

To prevent the spread of ToBRFV and other pathogens, thorough disinfection protocols are essential. Implement these measures before anyone enters the greenhouse:

• Clean hands with disinfecting soap like Menno Florades and then disinfect dry hands again.
• Install a hygiene station to disinfect hands and footwear.
• Place disinfection mats where personnel and transport have to pass before entering the greenhouse.
• Before re-entering the greenhouse, after a break, visiting the sanitary facilities, smoking, etc., disinfect and clean the hands again.
• Let visitors wear gloves, overlays and hairnets everywhere.
• Provide clean work clothing for staff, ensuring no cross-contamination from external environments.

Once inside the greenhouse, continue to follow strict hygiene practices: 

• Disinfect tools like knives and scissors after each row of crops using Menno Clean.
• Regularly disinfect hands while working, using a hand disinfectant such as Menno Florades.
• Clean and disinfect trolleys, spray trolleys, and all mobile equipment ensuring anything that contacts the crops is sanitized.
• Perform a full greenhouse disinfection during crop rotation. Tobamoviruses, like ToBRFV and CGMM, can survive long-term on both organic and non-organic material. Follow the comprehensive guidelines in the Protocol Disinfection for Tomato for a complete overview of the necessary measures during crop rotation.

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