How is TMV spread?

How is TMV spread?

• A. Direct contact between plants
• B. Waterborne spread
• C. Airborne spores
• D. Soil contamination

Answer: (A)

TMV spreads mainly through mechanical transmission, meaning virus particles move from an infected plant to a healthy one via contact with sap. This happens when plant tissue is damaged or handled with contaminated hands or tools—pruning, grafting, or even brushing against plants with dirty gloves can transfer the virus. The virus is very stable and can remain infective on surfaces for a long time, so cleaning and disinfecting tools and hands is essential to prevent spread. Waterborne spread isn’t the primary route; while sap can move in water, irrigation or splash water is not the main way TMV travels between plants in typical settings. Airborne spread in the form of spores isn’t applicable here since TMV is a virus without spores and isn’t usually dispersed by wind. Soil contact alone doesn’t directly infect plants unless the virus-bearing sap reaches a wound on the plant; soil mainly acts as a reservoir. So the most accurate description is that direct contact between plants, via contaminated hands or tools, best explains how TMV is spread.

TMV spreads mainly through mechanical transmission, meaning virus particles move from an infected plant to a healthy one via contact with sap. This happens when plant tissue is damaged or handled with contaminated hands or tools—pruning, grafting, or even brushing against plants with dirty gloves can transfer the virus. The virus is very stable and can remain infective on surfaces for a long time, so cleaning and disinfecting tools and hands is essential to prevent spread.

Waterborne spread isn’t the primary route; while sap can move in water, irrigation or splash water is not the main way TMV travels between plants in typical settings. Airborne spread in the form of spores isn’t applicable here since TMV is a virus without spores and isn’t usually dispersed by wind. Soil contact alone doesn’t directly infect plants unless the virus-bearing sap reaches a wound on the plant; soil mainly acts as a reservoir.

So the most accurate description is that direct contact between plants, via contaminated hands or tools, best explains how TMV is spread.