Since its first appearance in the late nineties, the Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) has spread widely, causing damage in tomato greenhouses worldwide. A severe infestation by PepMV often results in losses of up to 30%, caused by both quality and production losses. Fortunately, growers can now protect their crop with PMV-01. PMV-01 can be used year round and in all tomato growing systems. One application right after planting suffices to protect the crop against PepMV during the rest of the season.
PMV-01 is produced in Belgium by De Ceuster Meststoffen NV (DCM) and is used in the context of a complete vaccination strategy. This PMV-01 vaccination strategy is the result of ten years of scientific research in Belgium and other European countries. First commercial experiences date back to 2011 (Belgium) and 2012 (The Netherlands) under special authorizations for emergency use. Since 2015, the product is fully registered and available in several countries. More than 3500 ha of commercial greenhouse tomatoes have already been vaccinated with PMV-01, with excellent results.
DCM and Biobest kick-started their collaboration on PMV-01 two years ago. In 2015, DCM granted Biobetter Maroc (Biobest’s subsidiary in Morocco) the exclusive distribution rights of PMV-01 in Morocco. While DCM sells PMV-01 directly to growers in certain markets, Biobest and DCM have now decided to extend their collaboration in Poland, Hungary and Austria. The season has already started, but growers who have yet to plant can still get in touch with Biobest to vaccinate their crop.
PepMV is a very infectious RNA-virus and is easily spread mechanically. In a non-vaccinated greenhouse, one infected plant will soon contaminate the whole greenhouse. Strict hygiene measures can reduce the disease pressure, but cannot guarantee the complete exclusion of all sources of contamination with PepMV.
Lieselotte De Bruyne, Product Manager at Biobest Belgium, explains: “This is where PMV-01 comes in. The vaccination is based on cross-protection with a mild PepMV isolate at the start of the season. Vaccination activates the plant immune system. Once the vaccine is established, other – more aggressive viral isolates – are no longer able to infect the plant. The vaccination is accompanied by rigorous analyses before and after vaccination to guarantee optimal protection of the plants. Hygiene measures remain important as well, to prevent contamination with aggressive PepMV isolates before full protection is reached. Good hygiene also helps to prevent other bacterial and fungal diseases.”
For more information, contact:
Koen Van Elsen - koen.vanelsen@biobest.be (Poland, Hungary)
Dirk Aerts – dirk.aerts@biobest.be (Austria)
For more information on registration of PMV-01 in other countries, contact:
Lieselotte De Bruyne – lieselotte.debruyne@biobestgroup.com
For more information
Biobest Belgium NV
Ilse Velden 18
2260 Westerlo - Belgium
T +32 14 25 79 80