ARBOK-Tomato-Pepper

Overview

ARBOK-Tomato-Pepper applies the Arbok-Repeel acid agent against the two viruses crippling greenhouse tomato and pepper: TYLCV (tomato yellow leaf curl, spread by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci) and ToBRFV (tomato brown rugose fruit virus — today the #1 greenhouse threat, no vector, survives months on hands/tools/clothes/carts, transmitted by seeds and bumblebees, breaks the Tm-2² resistance gene). Repeel drives off the whitefly quickly, within a short window after application, without harming bumblebees/bees (cutting TYLCV transmission and direct damage), and the same solution is a cheap disinfectant for surfaces/tools/hands to break the ToBRFV contact chain.

Applications

Greenhouse spraying of plants/air against whitefly (pollinator-safe); routine disinfection of entrances, carts, tools, and hands against ToBRFV between rows and batches; combined with clean seed.

Users: greenhouse tomato/pepper growers, protected-cultivation operators, seed suppliers.

Operating Principle

The Repeel acid mist drives off the whitefly vector quickly after application (pollinator-safe — essential, as greenhouses rely on bumblebees), cutting TYLCV transmission and the pest's direct damage; the same solution as a surface/tool/hand disinfectant inactivates the contact virus ToBRFV. The acid mixture neutralizes to water and safe compounds after use.

Limitations: viruses not cured — value via vector repellence + contact hygiene; ToBRFV control hinges on disinfection discipline (it survives months on surfaces); tomato/pepper-specific field validation pending.

Key Parameters

Agent: Arbok-Repeel acid solution derived from phosphate-industry waste (>6 billion t globally). Whitefly departure: rapid, within a short window after application; pollinator-safe; soil-neutralizing. Modes: plant/air repellent spray + contact disinfectant (entrances, carts, tools, hands). Platform production (Arbok-VC): under deep vacuum, at ambient temperature, 2–4 kWh/t feed, zero effluent.

Architecture and Components

Repeel concentrate (Arbok-VC) → dilution/dosing → greenhouse plant/air sprayer for whitefly; disinfection stations (entrances, carts, tool dips, hand) for ToBRFV; whitefly monitoring; clean-seed protocol; PPE/acid handling.

Advantages

Technical: closes both channels (whitefly vector + contact virus) with one agent; resistance-proof; pollinator-safe (bumblebees/entomophages preserved — the greenhouse depends on them). Economic: comparable per-pass cost to conventional but covers ToBRFV, which chemistry cannot. Environmental: pollinator-safe, soil-buffered, phosphate-waste origin.

Integrations

Application of Arbok-Repeel; fits greenhouse IPM, biocontrol, and hygiene protocols; sibling to ARBOK-Cucurbits-Triple-Strike (same vector+contact pattern).

Deployment & Operation

Plant/air repellent spraying against whitefly (pollinator-safe) + routine disinfection of entrances/carts/tools/hands between rows and batches; clean seed. Remaining: tomato/pepper-specific field validation and protocol standardization.

TRL

TRL 5 (confirmed by Michael). Validated in relevant environment at the agent level (Repeel proven on related pests; acid disinfection well understood), with tomato/pepper greenhouse-specific field validation pending.

TRL scale:

• TRL 1 — basic principles observed
• TRL 2 — technology concept formulated
• TRL 3 — experimental proof-of-concept
• TRL 4 — validated in lab
• TRL 5 — validated in relevant environment ← ARBOK-Tomato-Pepper
• TRL 6 — demonstrated in relevant environment
• TRL 7 — prototype in operational environment
• TRL 8 — system complete and qualified
• TRL 9 — proven in operational environment

Market Potential

Tomato and pepper are multi-billion-dollar greenhouse crops. ToBRFV is the #1 global greenhouse threat (up to 100 % unmarketable fruit, breaks the main resistance gene, no chemical control — only hygiene), and TYLCV via insecticide-resistant whitefly can cause up to 100 % loss in warm climates. A pollinator-safe agent closing both channels — if validated — addresses protected cultivation worldwide.

Typical Project Economics

Repellent treatment comparable in cost to conventional but also covers ToBRFV (which chemistry cannot) and spares the pollinators/entomophages greenhouses depend on. Agent feedstock negative-cost phosphate waste. Per-area specifics indicative until validation.

Risk Factors

Viruses not cured — depends on vector repellence + strict disinfection (ToBRFV survives months on surfaces). Tomato/pepper field efficacy needs validation. Pollinator/entomophage safety must be confirmed in greenhouse practice. Disinfection discipline is the key operational risk. Regulatory clearance per region. Handling of the concentrated acid mixture requires appropriate PPE and trained personnel.

Related Technologies

Arbok-Repeel · ARBOK-Cucurbits-Triple-Strike · ARBOK-Cassava · ARBOK-Potato