Virus-Infected Tomatoes May Be Prevalent at Grocery Stores

— Written by Inga Meadows | March 19, 2024

A recent study from the University of Florida discovered high incidences of two tomato viruses (ToBRFV and PepMV) in tomato fruit among 10 grocery stores surveyed in Florida. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) were found in more than 70% of fruits sampled and often were both detected in the same fruit (see figure below for details) and this scenario presents a pathway for these viruses to enter our crop production systems. Fruit that were sampled had originated in Mexico, Canada or the United States.

Therefore, anyone who works with tomatoes and other solanaceous crops (growers, agents, agronomists, crop consultants, researchers, etc.) is advised to avoid touching, handling, or purchasing tomato fruit that are mottled, discolored, unevenly ripening, and/or have rough texture to avoid potentially introducing unwanted viruses to our cropping systems.

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) symptoms on tomato fruit. Image by R. van der Vlugt. Copyright WUR

Although these viruses are in different virus groups, both can be mechanically transmitted meaning that sap from infected plant parts, including fruit, can be transmitted to a healthy plant by touching. Both are economically important viruses that have caused global epidemics.

Symptoms of ToBRFV on tomato plants and fruit. Credit: A. Dombrovsky, O. Batuman, Fidan et al. (2019) and Luria et al. (2017), https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP360 — Symptoms of ToBRFV on tomato plants and fruit. Credit: A. Dombrovsky, O. Batuman, Fidan et al. (2019) and Luria et al. (2017),

The percent distribution of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and pepino mosaic Figure 2. The percent distribution of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) and their co-infection in tomatoes imported from Canada, Mexico, and the United virus (PepMV) and their co-infection in tomatoes imported from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. (The origin of the tomatoes was determined based on the package labels). States. (The origin of the tomatoes was determined based on the package labels.) From Yilmaz and Batuman, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/ v15122305 — The percent distribution of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and pepino mosaic
virus (PepMV) and their co-infection in tomatoes imported from Canada, Mexico, and the United
States. (The origin of the tomatoes was determined based on the package labels). From Yilmaz and Batuman, 2023,

PepMV has already been established in the US and although ToBRFV is still regulated by USDA-APHIS as of the date of this publication, it is thought that this virus is likely already in our cropping systems given that it can be detected in fruit in grocery stores and in wastewater systems based on publications by Serchan et al. (2023) and Rothman and Whiteson (2022).

If you suspect disease on your crop, please contact your local extension agent, agronomist (for commercial growers only), or send samples to the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic.