Tomato mottle mosaic virus
Tomato mottle mosaic virus
Tobamovirus maculatessellati
Africa: Mauritius; Asia: China, India, Iran; Europe: Czechia, Germany, Netherlands; North America: Mexico, USA; South America: Brazil.
CA, FL, NC, SC
2025-05-19
virus
Peru
Main: tomato; Other: pepper
ToMMV
Tomato mottle mosaic virus is a tobamovirus commonly associated with tomato and pepper seeds. Based on similarities with related tobamoviruses such as TMV and ToMV, ToMMV is assumed to be seed-borne; however, sources note that direct evidence confirming natural seed-borne transmission is uncertain. ToMMV is often found on seed coats, but infection of seedlings via seeds remains uncertain. The virus primarily spreads through mechanical means, including contaminated tools, hands, clothing, equipment, and possibly irrigation water.
2 Known Hosts
Capsicum annuum
pepper
uncertain
EPPO, ToMMV-1, ToMMV-3, ToMMV-4, ToMMV-5, ToMMV-6, ToMMV-9, ToMMV-13
ToMMV is considered potentially seed-borne in pepper seeds due to its classification as a tobamovirus. However, evidence confirming natural seed-to-seedling transmission of ToMMV is limited, and current concerns are based more on its genus association than on proven seed transmission.
Yes
ELISA and bioassay, RT-PCR
Methods are not validated.
EPPO, ToMMV-2, ToMMV-7, ToMMV-8, ToMMV-10, ToMMV-12, ToMMV-14
Biological, Cultural, Mechanical
Use virus-free seeds and maintain rigorous sanitation by regularly disinfecting tools, equipment, and hands. Remove and destroy infected plants, manage weeds effectively, and avoid overhead irrigation. Monitor crops for early symptoms to help prevent outbreaks. Use resistant seeds.
EPPO
2025-05-22 08:36:43
OEPP/EPPO Global Database - European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
Lovelock DA, Kinoti WM, Bottcher C, Wildman O, Dall D, Rodoni BC & Constable FE (2020) Tomato mottle mosaic virus intercepted by Australian biosecurity in Capsicum annuum seed. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 15:8. 2 pp.
Mut Bertome M (2021). Detección de Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus en Semilla Comercial de Tomate y Pimiento. Msc Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de València. 46 pp.
Ling K-S (2021) Recent emergence of seed-borne viruses and viroids on tomato, seed health tests and their implications in global seed trade. In Proceedings of the VI International Symposium on Tomato Diseases: Managing Tomato Diseases in the Face of Globalization and Climate Change Taichung, Taiwan May 6-9, 2019 (conveners L. Kenyon R.-J. Chang F.-J. Jan). Acta Hortic. 1316, 127-134.
Australian Government (2019) Emergency measures for tomato and capsicum seed: Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) Questions and Answers.
Dombrovsky A & Smith E (2017) Seed Transmission of Tobamoviruses: Aspects of Global Disease Distribution. In Advances in Seed Biology (INTECH, Vol. Chapter 12, pp. 233–260).
Levitzky N, Smith E, Lachman O, Luria N, Mizrahi Y, Bakelman H, Id NS, Laskar O, Milrot E & Id AD (2019) The bumblebee Bombus terrestris carries a primary inoculum of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus contributing to disease spread in tomatoes. PLoS ONE, 1–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210871
Maule AJ, Wang D. Seed transmission of plant viruses: A lesson in biological complexity. Trends in Microbiology. 1996;4(4):153-158
Tiberini A, Manglli A, Taglienti A, Vučurović A, Brodarič J, Ferretti L, Luigi M, Gentili A & Mehle N (2022) Development and validation of a one-step reverse transcription real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection and identification of tomato mottle mosaic virus and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Plants 11, 489.
Heinze C, Lesemann DE, Ilmberger N, Willingmann P & Adam G (2006) The phylogenetic structure of the cluster of tobamovirus species serologically related to ribgrass mosaic virus (RMV) and the sequence of streptocarpus flower break virus (SFBV). Archives of Virology 151, 763-774.
Letschert B, Adam G, Lesemann D-E, Willingmann P & Heinze C (2002) Detection and differentiation of serologically cross-reacting tobamoviruses of economical importance by RT-PCR and RT-PCR-RFLP. Journal of Virological Methods, 106, 1–10. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-0934(02)00135-0
Li Y, Tan G, Lan P, Zhang A, Liu Y, Li R & Li F (2018) Detection of tobamoviruses by RT-PCR using a novel pair of degenerate primers. Journal of Virological Methods, 259(June), 122–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jviromet.2018.06.012
Kimura, K., Miyazaki, A., Suzuki, T., Yamamoto, T., Kitazawa, Y., Maejima, K., Namba, S., & Yamaji, Y. (2023). A Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Technique to Detect Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus, an Emerging Tobamovirus. Viruses, 15(8), 1688. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15081688
Dovas CI, Efthimiou K, Katis NI (2004) Generic Detection and Differentiation of Tobamoviruses by a Spot Nested RT-PCR-RFLP Using DI-Containing Primers along with Homologous DG-Containing Primers. Journal of Virological Methods 117, 137–144. doi:10.1016/j.jviromet.2004.01.004.
Solanum lycopersicum
tomato
Uncertain
EPPO, ToMMV-1, ToMMV-3, ToMMV-4, ToMMV-5, ToMMV-6, ToMMV-9, ToMMV-13, ToMMV-16
ToMMV is considered potentially seed-borne in tomato seeds due to its classification as a tobamovirus. However, evidence confirming natural seed-to-seedling transmission of ToMMV is limited, and current concerns are based more on its genus association than on proven seed transmission.
yes
ELISA and bioassay, RT-PCR
Seed test is not validated.
EPPO, ToMMV-2, ToMMV-7, ToMMV-8, ToMMV-10, ToMMV-12, ToMMV-14
Biological, Cultural, Mechanical
Use virus-free seeds and maintain rigorous sanitation by regularly disinfecting tools, equipment, and hands. Remove and destroy infected plants, manage weeds effectively, and avoid overhead irrigation. Monitor crops for early symptoms to help prevent outbreaks. Use resistant seeds.
EPPO
2025-05-22 08:36:53
OEPP/EPPO Global Database - European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
Lovelock DA, Kinoti WM, Bottcher C, Wildman O, Dall D, Rodoni BC & Constable FE (2020) Tomato mottle mosaic virus intercepted by Australian biosecurity in Capsicum annuum seed. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 15:8. 2 pp.
Mut Bertome M (2021). Detección de Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus en Semilla Comercial de Tomate y Pimiento. Msc Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de València. 46 pp.
Ling K-S (2021) Recent emergence of seed-borne viruses and viroids on tomato, seed health tests and their implications in global seed trade. In Proceedings of the VI International Symposium on Tomato Diseases: Managing Tomato Diseases in the Face of Globalization and Climate Change Taichung, Taiwan May 6-9, 2019 (conveners L. Kenyon R.-J. Chang F.-J. Jan). Acta Hortic. 1316, 127-134.
Australian Government (2019) Emergency measures for tomato and capsicum seed: Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) Questions and Answers.
Dombrovsky A & Smith E (2017) Seed Transmission of Tobamoviruses: Aspects of Global Disease Distribution. In Advances in Seed Biology (INTECH, Vol. Chapter 12, pp. 233–260).
Levitzky N, Smith E, Lachman O, Luria N, Mizrahi Y, Bakelman H, Id NS, Laskar O, Milrot E & Id AD (2019) The bumblebee Bombus terrestris carries a primary inoculum of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus contributing to disease spread in tomatoes. PLoS ONE, 1–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210871
Maule AJ, Wang D. Seed transmission of plant viruses: A lesson in biological complexity. Trends in Microbiology. 1996;4(4):153-158
Turina M, Geraats B, Ciuffo M (2016) First report of Tomato mottle mosaic virus in tomato crops in Israel. New Dis Rep 33(1)
Tiberini A, Manglli A, Taglienti A, Vučurović A, Brodarič J, Ferretti L, Luigi M, Gentili A & Mehle N (2022) Development and validation of a one-step reverse transcription real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection and identification of tomato mottle mosaic virus and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Plants 11, 489.
Heinze C, Lesemann DE, Ilmberger N, Willingmann P & Adam G (2006) The phylogenetic structure of the cluster of tobamovirus species serologically related to ribgrass mosaic virus (RMV) and the sequence of streptocarpus flower break virus (SFBV). Archives of Virology 151, 763-774.
Letschert B, Adam G, Lesemann D-E, Willingmann P & Heinze C (2002) Detection and differentiation of serologically cross-reacting tobamoviruses of economical importance by RT-PCR and RT-PCR-RFLP. Journal of Virological Methods, 106, 1–10. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-0934(02)00135-0
Li Y, Tan G, Lan P, Zhang A, Liu Y, Li R & Li F (2018) Detection of tobamoviruses by RT-PCR using a novel pair of degenerate primers. Journal of Virological Methods, 259(June), 122–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jviromet.2018.06.012
Kimura, K., Miyazaki, A., Suzuki, T., Yamamoto, T., Kitazawa, Y., Maejima, K., Namba, S., & Yamaji, Y. (2023). A Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Technique to Detect Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus, an Emerging Tobamovirus. Viruses, 15(8), 1688. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15081688
Dovas CI, Efthimiou K, Katis NI (2004) Generic Detection and Differentiation of Tobamoviruses by a Spot Nested RT-PCR-RFLP Using DI-Containing Primers along with Homologous DG-Containing Primers. Journal of Virological Methods 117, 137–144. doi:10.1016/j.jviromet.2004.01.004.
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