Nunhems, Netherlands: From the beginning of the tomato brown shrivel fruit virus (ToBFRV) outbreak, BASF (a seeds business based in Nunhems) has actively sought and delivered solutions for growers to combat this virus. In addition to the provision of seed varieties since 2020, the launch of new products resistant to ToBRFV to become commercialised in 2023, which will even better meet the requirements of growers and the market, continues to be tested.

The Nunhems’ portfolio currently offers a range of resistant tomato seed varieties. These seeds all meet the requirements of different levels of the agri-food value chain. In addition to tomato productivity and plant health, the varieties also offer characteristics such as flavour, colour or visual appearance in line with current market demands.

“In 2020, we launched our first tomato variety resistant to ToBRFV, Teenon F1, in Mexico,” said Maria Muschitiello, Tomato Product Development Coordinator at BASF. “A year later, we launched four more saladette varieties, Blindon, Brogan, Strongton and Azovian, which show good resistance to the wrinkle virus and are perfectly adapted to different hotspots, including Spain, Turkey and Morocco. We now have a  commercial range with Vitalion, a very tasty round cherry tomato adapted to high-tech cultivation in the Netherlands and production in Canada.” BASF will continue to introduce new varieties for different types of segments that can be grown in many countries.

BASF continues to offer lasting and sustainable solutions. “Through resistance, we contribute to crop continuity and commercial fruit production. And we have successfully achieved exactly this goal.”

Rapid spread of ToBRFV around the world

ToBFRV was first detected in Jordan in 2014 and has since spread to most major tomato producing areas worldwide. In some countries ToBFRV is now endemic, but there are still countries where it is not present, such as Australia and Brazil.

Source: tarimturk.com.tk