What are symptoms of TMV?

• A. Rash on leaves
• B. Direct contact between plants
• C. A mosaic pattern of discolouration on leaves which reduces growth due to a lack of photosynthesis
• D. Fever and sore throat

Answer: (C)

TMV is a plant virus that produces distinctive leaf symptoms. It causes a mosaic pattern of light and dark discolouration on leaves because the virus disrupts chlorophyll distribution and chloroplast function. This uneven chlorophyll content lowers photosynthesis, so the plant grows more slowly and may appear stunted. That combination of mosaic leaf discolouration and reduced growth from impaired photosynthesis is exactly what TMV causes, making it the best description. The other options aren’t symptoms of TMV: a rash on leaves isn’t typical for plants; direct contact between plants describes a way the virus can spread, not a symptom; and fever with sore throat are human symptoms, not plant symptoms.