Symptoms and Signs
Downward curling of leaf blades on tomato plants with tobacco streak is common. Leaf veins become necrotic and can lead to necrotic blotches, especially on young leaves. Fruit may develop necrotic ringspots. Necrotic streaks on young stems extend to flowers and leads to flower drop.
Comments on the Disease
Tobacco streak is a widespread disease of tomato, but it generally does not cause major losses. Spread of the virus is associated with pollen and/or thrips (including western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci). Seed transmission is reported to occur in some beans, chickpeas, and weeds. The host range for this virus is wide and includes common weeds such as mustards, radishes and thistles.
Management
There is no genetic resistance to tobacco streak in tomatoes and no effective management strategies are available.