NRGene (TASE: NRGN) and Philoseed, two leading companies in the field of genomics and tomato breeding, have made significant progress towards the widespread commercialization of a high resistance trait against the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in tomatoes. The companies have completed tests on ToBRFV-resistant tomato plants, which were licensed by several seed companies. Early adopters in Europe and the U.S. have observed high levels of virus resistance in plants infected with local variants. This validation by customers marks a major step towards the global commercialization of the ToBRFV high resistance trait.
The collaboration between NRGene and Philoseed began in February 2022 when they announced the successful mapping of DNA regions in wild tomato plants that enhance resistance to ToBRFV. Since then, ten seed breeding companies have licensed and incorporated the resistance trait into their elite tomato varieties.
S.A.I.S Sementi, an Italian seed company, was among the first to validate the ToBRFV resistance trait. Franca Castagnoli, head of the research and development department at S.A.I.S Sementi, expressed enthusiasm about the resistance trait, stating that it provides a unique breeding opportunity and is strongly correlated with molecular markers. She also praised NRGene’s comprehensive lab support, which contributed significantly to the success of the project.
ToBRFV is a highly contagious disease that poses a threat to the tomato industry worldwide, with its rapid spread in Asia, Africa, parts of Mexico, and the United States. Therefore, the development of a high-resistance trait is crucial for protecting tomato crops and ensuring the stability of the industry.
Following the positive validation results, NRGene is expanding the commercialization process for seeds carrying the ToBRFV resistance trait and its associated markers. The company has already signed commercial contracts with seed companies in Israel, Europe, and the United States.
Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO of NRGene, expressed satisfaction with the progress made and the impact it will have on the industry. He hopes that, with the collective efforts of the seed industry, the damage caused by the ToBRFV virus will become marginal in the coming years. To protect the high-resistance trait, the genetic markers, and the tomato plants carrying them, Philoseed and NRGene have filed several patent applications, ensuring their groundbreaking research remains protected.
Amit Schwarz, CEO of Philoseed, emphasized the confidence they have in the resistance source based on field trials. The development of DNA markers in collaboration with NRGene will further enhance the efficiency, speed, and accuracy of implementing the resistance trait in commercial tomato varieties. The companies have released a White Paper with detailed information and a technical overview of the discovered Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) related to the ToBRFV resistance trait, which can be downloaded for further insights.
NRGene is a genomics company that provides turnkey solutions to seed and food companies globally. With their proprietary database and AI-based technologies, they offer computational tools that maximize crop yield and save time and costs for their clients. Their tools have already been implemented by leading agribiotech companies and research teams in academia. Philoseed is a tomato breeding company composed of experienced professionals from Israel’s top seed companies. Their expertise lies in breeding, agro-technology, and the production of superior tomato varieties. The company aims to lead the global seed industry in the development of novel and superior tomato varieties.
The collaboration between NRGene and Philoseed represents a significant step forward in combating the ToBRFV virus and safeguarding tomato crops worldwide. Through their joint efforts, the commercialization of ToBRFV-resistant tomato varieties is becoming a reality, offering hope for a more secure and sustainable tomato industry in the face of this devastating virus.
Photo by Shalev Cohen on Unsplash
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