Forward breeding for ToBRFV resistance: Discover tomatoes that have it all!

By Geert Janssen

When the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) emerged, we at BASF I Nunhems took immediate action. As one of the first companies to do research on it, we were determined to find a solution for tomato growers worldwide who faced the threat of this devastating pathogen.

Our dedication paid off, as we were among the first to introduce ToBRFV-resistant tomato varieties, benefiting tomato growers around the globe who saw their yields and thus their existence at the mercy of this devastating pathogen.

Now, we are embarking into a new era of ToBRFV resistance breeding: To our portfolio of more than 25 resistant varieties we will add more varieties in 2025 that will not only extend but significantly improve our offer.

While our resistant varieties were hitherto developed via backcross breeding, we are now moving on to achieve new breakthroughs with forward breeding. Forward breeding involves selecting parent plants with desirable traits and crossing them to produce varieties that combine these traits. Unlike backcross breeding, which involves repeatedly crossing offspring with an existing elite parent to introduce a specific trait, forward breeding allows for the selection of multiple beneficial traits simultaneously, thereby creating novel improved varieties. Advances in genomic tools and marker-assisted selection have enabled us to identify and select for these traits more accurately and efficiently.

In short: we can now take our already resistant lines and cross them with our premium lines that deliver extra benefits for growers and consumers. Yield, stability, uniformity, stress tolerance, flavor, nutritional value, shelf-life and an attractive appearance – our varieties have it all, paired with our trusted strong shields against not only ToBRFV but many pests and diseases.