Tobacco Mosaic Virus
Full Form of TMV
What is TMV?
TMV stands for Tobacco Mosaic Virus, one of the most extensively studied plant viruses in the world. It was the first virus ever discovered, identified by Dutch microbiologist Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, and it primarily infects tobacco and other members of the Solanaceae family such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. In India, where tobacco is a major commercial crop grown extensively in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, TMV poses a significant agricultural concern, often causing mottled patterns on leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yield. The virus spreads through mechanical contact, infected seeds, contaminated tools, and even tobacco products handled by farm workers. TMV is also a cornerstone subject in Indian university curricula for botany, microbiology, virology, and plant pathology courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Understanding its structure, a simple positive-sense single-stranded RNA encased in a helical capsid, has been fundamental to the development of modern molecular virology. For competitive exams like CSIR-NET, ICAR, and various state-level agricultural tests, questions on TMV frequently appear due to its historical and scientific importance in plant virus research across the country.
TMV का फुल फॉर्म
तंबाकू मोज़ेक वायरस
Example
The agricultural officer inspected the tobacco fields in Gujarat after farmers reported mosaic-like patterns on the leaves, suspecting a possible TMV outbreak in the region.