Main Symptoms

The name of tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV) is due to irregular "vein banding" along the veins, in addition to vein clearing of tobacco leaves. Infected leaves are often chlorotic (figures 1-3). When  approaching maturity, some varieties are covered with numerous necrotic spots, sometimes similar to those caused by "weather fleck" (see the fact sheet Small often necrotic spots).

In the United States, in cases of viral combination affecting Burley tobacco, there are many symptoms caused by TEV and TVMV separately. Necrotic spots running along the veins, the presence of vein browning, stunting of plants, are characteristic of the virus. Other viruses may occur in this combination but less frequently.

Some of the information on the worldwide distribution of the disease is obtained from surveys conducted by CORESTA (Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco). The reliability of the information is not confirmed in all countries.