Information
In this series, our Senior Researcher Phytopathology Manus Thoen takes on the myths that spread just as fast as the virus itself. Together with experts from our breeding, diagnostics, pathology, and molecular biology departments, he unpacks common misconceptions about HREZ, Enza Zaden’s High Resistance to ToBRFV.
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In this episode, Manus investigates the widespread belief that high temperatures can permanently disable HREZ resistance. He traces the origins of the myth back to the earliest field trials in Sicily, where Expert Researcher Sergio observed how heat and rising virus pressure interacted during the first seasons of HREZ testing.
To understand the mechanism behind these field observations, Manus turns to controlled climate cell experiments with Ilse, who studies how resistance proteins behave under heat stress and how day–night temperature cycles influence their activation. Through field experience, lab assays, and animated night–day dynamics, the team examines whether heat truly “breaks” HREZ or whether the relationship between temperature, pressure, and resistance is more nuanced than growers might expect.
Strong decisions start with solid information. By combining what we know from breeding, research and agricultural practice, this series cuts through the noise and highlights what truly matters for managing ToBRFV in modern tomato production.