Tomato growers adopt ToBRFV resistant seed technology
NRGene has begun commercial sales of tomato seeds carrying its high-resistance trait to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), developed in partnership with Philoseeds.
The launch follows pilot plots and small-scale trials during the 2024-2025 season in Switzerland and Canada, where plants showed strong resistance to ToBRFV while maintaining fruit quality and yield. The virus has become one of the most damaging threats to global greenhouse tomato production.
The company’s High Resistance (HR) trait was licensed to more than a dozen seed companies across Europe, South Africa and the U.S. It is supported by DNA marker technology to help integrate the trait into elite tomato varieties more efficiently.
“This milestone is more than just a first sale — it’s proof that our High Resistance trait is validated, reliable and already protecting the yield of tomato growers,” said Gil Ronen, CEO of NRGene.
HW Seeds was among the first to integrate NRGene’s trait into its commercial tomato varieties. The company reports that growers using the new genetics are maintaining strong yields and consistent fruit quality under ToBRFV pressure.
NRGene and Philoseed first mapped ToBRFV resistance in 2022, reaching commercialization in less than four years. The companies expect additional global adoption as more trials confirm the resistance’s effectiveness.
Feature photo courtesy of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
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