Tobacco Mosaic Virus: Symptoms and Management 

Causal organism: Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV).  

Origin   

Adlof Mayer at first reported this disease in 1886. In 1892 Iwanowski demonstrated that the tobacco mosaic virus would pass through a bacteria­proof filter. It is the first reported viral disease in the world. It has a long association with other viral diseases.   

Symptoms and Management of Tobacco Mosaic Virus 

Symptoms and Management of Tobacco Mosaic Virus are given below.

Symptoms   

• Discolored vein/Yellowing of the vein of the leaf.   
• Green patches and yellow patches are alternate with each other. This is the most characteristics symptom of leaf mosaic of tobacco.   
• Three types of characters such as mottling, distortion, and Stunting are seen on the leaves.   
• Infected bud leaves become twisted and malformed.   
• If infection makes earlier, severe dwarfing of plant reduced yield and reduction yield quality.

Favorable condition   

• Excess use of nitrogenous fertilizer.   
• Windy weather.   
• Insect infestation.   
• Present of wounds.

Intensity of disease

The intensity of disease depends on the physical and environmental conditions. The virus can survive in dried tobacco leaves up to 5 years and infected plant juice up to 25 years.   

Transmission   

TMV transmitted by sap. It is done mechanically (Animal, knife, labor hands, etc).

Control Measure   

• Field sanitation.   
• Highly contagious disease; washed the used implements as well as labor hands by running water.   
• Roughing and cultural practices.   
• Seedbed soil should be sterilized by steam.   
• Destruction of the collateral host.   
• Balanced fertilizers are used (optimum Nitrogenous fertilizer).   
• No chemical is recommended for TMV.