Identifies widespread ToBRFV in tomato and bell pepper, suggesting urgent surveillance needs.
Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) and bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) are vital crops in Colombia and other countries, but their production faces threats from Tobamovirus fructirugosum (ToBRFV), a virus causing significant yield and quality losses globally. Although it was previously reported in Antioquia, Colombia, its nationwide distribution and presence in bell peppers remained largely unknown. We surveyed tomato and bell pepper crops throughout Colombia and examined the prevalence, genetic diversity, and potential transmission routes of ToBRFV. To identify the most likely ToBRFV transmission routes, we developed a spatial network model representing connectivity among S. lycopersicum and/or C. annuum production areas and applied network analysis to identify municipalities of epidemiological importance. Using RT‐qPCR, Sanger sequencing, and HTS, we detected ToBRFV in tomato fields across multiple provinces and confirmed its first presence in Colombian bell pepper crops. Screening revealed a widespread presence in seeds and plantlets, indicating that infected material is a key component in disease transmission. On the other hand, genome sequencing of a bell pepper isolate provided the most complete Colombian ToBRFV genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed multiple introductions and a new Colombian lineage. Analysis of host resistance loci showed that the Tm‐1 and Tm‐2 alleles present in Chonto and Cherry varieties are unlikely to confer effective resistance to ToBRFV, consistent with the observed susceptibility. Spatial modelling identified key transmission routes and high‐risk areas, especially in the Andean region. This work is the first comprehensive detection of ToBRFV in Colombian tomato and bell pepper and highlights priority areas for surveillance and control.
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Juliana et al. (2026) studied this question.
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