Tobacco ringspot virus
tobacco ring spot
Anemone necrosis virus, Annulus tabaci, Blueberry necrotic ringspot virus, Nicotiana virus 12, Soybean bud blight virus, Tobacco Brazilian streak virus, Tobacco ringspot nepovirus, Tobacco ringspot virus No. 1
Worldwide
Widespread
2025-09-15
virus
Korea, China
Extensive host range includes many weed, fruit and ornamental plant species. Main: peppers, watermelon, melon, cucumber, soybean, tomato.
TRSV00
Tobacco ringspot virus is a Nepovirus with a broad host range that causes ring spots, mottling, stunting, and yield loss. It is transmitted primarily by dagger nematodes (Xiphinema spp.) in soil, but can also spread through infected seed in certain crops (mainly soybeans), mechanical contact with sap or contaminated tools, and, in some cases, via infected pollen.
12 Known Hosts
Capsicum annuum
pepper
No
TRSV00-2, CABI CPC, DPV WEB
No references found indicating pepper seed is a pathway.
No
2025-09-15 16:21:32
Citrullus lanatus
watermelon
No
TRSV00-2, CABI CPC, DPV WEB
No references found indicating pepper seed is a pathway.
2025-09-15 16:22:51
Cucumis melo
melon
uncertain
TRSV00-4, CABI CPC, DPV WEB, TRSV00-9
Tobacco ringspot virus is vectored primarily by dagger nematodes (Xiphinema spp.). References from the 1960s and 1980s mention seed transmission in melon, but these are outdated and not scientifically validated. The only study suggesting a seed pathway was conducted under enclosed or laboratory conditions, with no evidence from the field. A seed pathway is sometimes inferred, but no verifiable data exists, so the seed association with melon remains uncertain.
2025-09-15 16:40:54
McLean, DM 1962. Seed Transmission of Tobacco Ring Spot Virus in Cantaloupe. Phytopathology 52:21
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Description of Plant Viruses ; http://dpvweb.net/dpv/
Murant. 1983. Seed and Pollen Transmission of Nematode-borne viruses. Seed Sci and Technol. 11:973-987
Cucurbita spp.
squash, gourd, pumpkin
No
TORSXX-5
Seed as a pathway is not known to occur. Only Cucurbita spp. known to be infected by this virus is marrow.
Glycine max
soybean
Yes
TORSXX-2, TORSXX-7, TORSXX-8
Seed transmission important in soybean and is well documented.
Yes
Indicator host inoculation, Grow out, ELISA
ELISA is the temporary standard of the NSHS.
ELISA
TORSXX-1, NSHSUSDA
Resistant varieties available. Hot water at 56°C for 10 min, hot air at 52°C and 56°C, or aerated steam at 60°C seed treatments have been unsuccessful on soybean.
TORSXX-1
Impatiens spp.
impatiens
No
No references found indicating seed is a pathway.
Lactuca sativa
lettuce
No
TORSXX-6
Pathway not proven. Seed transmission from artificially inoculated plants only. No evidence of seed is a pathway in nature or from natural infections in this crop.
Pelargonium spp.
geranium
No
TRSV00-10
Pathway not proven. No evidence of seed transmission in nature. Seed pathway was shown in cross pollination experiments in the laboratory or greenhouse only and with artificially inoculated plants.
0000-00-00 00:00:00
Scarborough BA and Smith SH. 1975. Seed transmission of tobacco and tomato ringspot viruses in geraniums. Phytopathology 65:835-836.
Petunia spp.
petunia
No
DVPWEB
Pathway not proven. Seed as a pathway is often speculated based on one dated reference . See reference #34 in the DVP WEB. This reference could not be verified and it appears that the research was done with one isolate in the laboratory only. No evidence of natural seed transmission.
Zinnia spp.
zinnia
No
TORSXX-11
Pathway not proven. Seed as a pathway is often speculated based on one dated reference from Japan. This reference could not be verified and it is unclear if the transmission was with naturally infected seed or in the laboratory only.
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