First report of <i>Tomato brown rugose fruit virus</i> in tomato in Argentina

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) causes severe crop losses worldwide, infecting primarily tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum). It was detected for the first time in 2014 Israel (Luria et al., 2017), then 2015 Jordan (Salem 2016), has since spread rapidly to other countries. In Americas, it reported Mexico (Cambrón-Crisantos 2018) USA (Ling 2019). December 2022, greenhouse-grown plants from three different growers Santa Lucía Lavalle (Corrientes, Argentina) showed similar symptoms those caused by tobamoviruses. The mosaic leaf mottling, narrowing (needle-like) chlorosis young leaves. fruits exhibited necrotic lesions blotchy ripening (Figures 1-3). More than 50% of affected greenhouses symptoms, large incidence being consistent with mechanical transmission disease. One sample each sites collected tested Cucumber virus, Pepper mild mottle (PMMoV), Tobacco (TMV), spotted wilt ToBRFV ImmunoStrip® tests (Agdia, USA). Only PMMoV, TMV were positive. Due cross-reactions observed these serological test kits, a tobamovirus RT-PCR assay (Maroon & Zavriev, 2002) performed PCR products sequenced (GenBank Accession No. OR225613). confirmed infection tobamovirus; sequence analyses that amplicons all samples had 99% identity (OM515256.1). To demonstrate pathogenicity, symptomatic leaves ground phosphate buffer solution (pH 7) resulting suspension inoculated onto healthy three-week-old (cv. Río Grande) grown pots containing sterile growing substrate growth chamber 12 hours light/dark at 26±2°C. Ten days post inoculation, began show symptoms. An USA) conducted on leaves, positive test. Phytosanitary measures, including tool disinfection, roguing delimitation quarantine areas, implemented prevent spreading. are most important areas production Corrientes, therefore during next season, field monitoring will be further analysis. our knowledge, this is report Argentina.