Protocols of disinfection against regulated viruses and viroids, such as ToBRFV and PSTVd

Main research question/goal

The DISVIR project, now completed, has delivered important work for the greenhouse horticulture sector on controlling and preventing two highly transmissible and persistent plant viruses: tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd). After initial study, disinfection of tools and of entire greenhouse surfaces appears to be effective in controlling the spread of such (and perhaps other) viruses and viroids in horticultural production units. In particular, viruses belonging to the potexvirus and tobamovirus groups, as well as pospiviroids that are easily mechanically transmissible and highly persistent in their survival on a variety of surfaces, require efficient hygienic measures to prevent their introduction and further spread within greenhouse facilities. A standardized disinfection protocol is now available for the main target organisms.

Research approach

The researchers achieved their goal through the following steps: (1) surveying state-of-the-art knowledge around both survival of target organisms and available disinfection protocols, (2) conducting targeted experiments around effectiveness of biocides as a function of disinfection, (3) the organization of a test performance study to concretize the recommendations to producers for the hygiene protocols based on the results from (1) and (2) above. The work also included (4) a validation phase, in order to, at the end, also carefully carry out (5) the dissemination and publication of the most effective validated hygiene protocols. 

Relevance/Valorisation

The standardized hygiene protocols are disseminated, among others, through information meetings for the producers involved, publications in popular and international magazines, the Euphresco website and official project reports. Program owners and policy makers are also informed about the project results. As such they can be included in the emergency measures imposed for ToBRFV and pospiviroids and other regulated viruses/viroids can also be extended.

Funding provider(s)
FOD Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de voedselketen en Leefmilieu