In young plants, the infection reduces the set of fruit and may cause distortions and blemishes.

These include temperature, day length and light intensity as well as the variety, the age of the plant at infection and the virulence of the strain of ToMV.

The infection is generally restricted to plants that are grown in seedbeds and transplanted as it is in the handling processes that the virus is likely to gain entry.

Symptoms on other plant hosts include blistering, chlorosis, curling, distortion, dwarfing and mottling of the leaves.

It can also be spread on contaminated tools and the clothing and hands of workers during routine activities.